EcoPhage Secures EPA Approval for Bacteriophage-Based Biopesticide
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cleared GoldenEco®, a novel phage-based treatment designed to combat bacterial diseases in tomatoes and peppers. This regulatory green light allows the Rehovot-based biotech firm to introduce its targeted biological alternative to traditional copper-based chemical sprays into the American agricultural market.
Bacterial pathogens like Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas have long plagued pepper and tomato crops, forcing growers to rely on heavy chemical applications that face mounting regulatory pressure and increasing bacterial resistance. GoldenEco® shifts this paradigm by utilizing naturally occurring bacteriophages—biological agents that specifically identify and neutralize harmful bacteria without the residue associated with conventional treatments.
EcoPhage CEO Guy Elitzur described the approval as the culmination of extensive field testing and development, noting that the product outperformed standard copper-based controls in U.S. trials. The company is now coordinating with commercial partners to initiate distribution and grower engagement programs. This milestone serves as a proof-of-concept for EcoPhage’s broader platform, which aims to replace chemical intervention with sustainable, non-GMO biological solutions across various high-value crop sectors.
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