Innovotech Inc. has secured funding in excess of CAD900,000 (US$857,000) from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to facilitate the commercialisation of Agressâ„¢, its unique, environmentally friendly seed treatment and plant spray designed to protect crops against both bacterial and fungal infections.

"With the potential to increase crop yields and improve product quality while minimising the risk of antibacterial resistance, Agressâ„¢ has the opportunity to provide a cost-effective solution for the agricultural industry where current technologies either have undesirable effects on the environment or do not work well," said Ken Boutilier, president and CEO of Innovotech Inc.

The two year, repayable funding, administered in Alberta through the Agriculture and Food Council, will focus on field trials to expand the potential applications of Agressâ„¢ from pulse crops (dry beans, dry peas, lentils, chickpeas) and soy to high value horticultural crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. The funding will also be used to support regulatory approval submissions for Agressâ„¢.

Innovotech Inc. is a pioneer in the field of biofilm product development, focused on providing innovative and practical solutions to medical, agricultural and industrial problems caused by microbial biofilms. Biofilms are responsible for a host of diseases both in agriculture and human health due to their inherent resistance to existing antibiotics and disinfectants.