BASF and Adama partner to co-develop Gilboa fungicide technology

The companies have signed a strategic co-development and commercialisation agreement centred on Adama’s proprietary fungicide active ingredient, Gilboa (flumetylsulforim).  

This partnership is set to accelerate the delivery of new, pioneering disease management solutions, helping farmers across Europe combat resistance and maintain healthy yields. 

Under the agreement, BASF will develop and commercialise new formulations based on ADAMA’s Gilboa molecule, alongside ADAMA’s own Gilboa-based products. The collaboration combines ADAMA’s innovation expertise with BASF’s strong development capabilities and market access, ensuring that farmers benefit from faster access to next-generation solutions. 

Adama and BASF will independently decide on their own concepts, pricing, sales and go-to-market strategies, the partnership confirmed. 

“As Europe faces increasing regulatory pressure and the phase-out of existing active ingredients, farmers are urgently seeking new, effective, and reliable tools to protect crop health and productivity,” a spokesperson for the companies said. 

‘Need for reliable, resilient protection against a broad range of diseases’

Gilboa offers a novel mode of action for cereals and belongs to the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) Group 32, nucleic acid metabolism, recognised earlier this year. It also represents a versatile platform for the development of broad-spectrum, long-lasting disease control solutions, enabling growers to secure both yield and quality. 

Florian Wagner, executive vice president of portfolio and innovation at Adama, said: “Farmers have been clear about their need for reliable, resilient protection against a broad range of diseases. With Gilboa, cereal growers in Europe gain a powerful new tool to better protect their crops.  

“We chose to collaborate with BASF because they share our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. This alignment makes them the ideal partner to ensure we can rapidly deliver this important innovation to growers across Europe.” 

Marko Grozdanovic, senior vice president of global strategic marketing at BASF Agricultural Solutions, added: “Over the last decade, BASF and Adama have successfully worked together on multiple projects.  

“Now, we are combining BASF’s broad portfolio of fungicides and market expertise alongside ADAMA’s innovative active ingredient and product expertise. This collaboration brings together the unique strengths of both companies, ensuring that farmers benefit from faster access to cutting-edge solutions.” 

Pending product registration, the two companies plan to launch Gilboa-based formulations for wheat in Great Britain in 2027, followed by broader European launches in 2029. 

Joel Johnson, business director for the UK and Ireland at BASF Agricultural Solutions, said that this is a major development for UK agriculture.  

“Gilboa represents a timely and valuable new tool for managing disease and safeguarding yield. As growers face mounting challenges, this innovation strengthens our ability to maintain the production of quality cereal crops while supporting long‑term resistance management,” he concluded. 

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