Biostimulants are blooming

Two new reports show how the plant biostimulants market is growing—but it needs good policy to truly thrive. Plus, a recent Facebook Live featuring two BIO leaders explored how we can make clinical trials more diverse. (528 words, 2 minutes, 38 seconds)

Blooming biostimulant market needs policy to thrive

Plant biostimulants are blossoming in the market, two reports show. But we need policy to grow with them. 

The numbers: The global biostimulants market had an estimated value of $27.6 billion, with annual revenue of $3.41 billion in 2022, say separate market research reports released in the last couple of weeks. Both reports project a compound annual growth rate of around 10% between now and 2031.

What are biostimulants? Substances or microorganisms applied to seeds, plants, or soil to enhance nutrient uptake and efficiency, tolerance to heat or drought, crop quality, or yield.

One example: Joyn Bio’s engineered microbes enable corn, wheat, and rice to convert nitrogen from the air into nourishment—reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers, which can cause greenhouse gas emissions.

Why biostimulants matter: They can enhance food security and help meet demand for food grown more sustainably—reasons to get into the business, the reports say.

But we need policy—like the proposed Plant Biostimulants Act, which would exempt biostimulants from being regulated the same as chemicals. It also requires further study of biostimulants' benefits for soil health.

Will it pass? The Plant Biostimulants Act is one of many BIO-recommended provisions awaiting consideration in the 2023 Farm Bill. We’ll be watching ahead of the September 30 deadline.

Without clinical trial diversity, we’re ‘losing a lot of opportunity’

A new regulation and industry efforts are driving progress on clinical trial diversity, but there's still much work to do, experts agreed in a Facebook Live panel discussion sponsored by BlackDoctor.org and BIO—read more on Bio.News.

Why it matters: “We are losing a lot of opportunity” to answer scientific questions and serve diverse populations by not including representative samples of society in clinical trials, said BIO Chair Dr. Ted W. Love.  

Why aren’t trials more diverse? A lot of reasons, Dr. Love explained, from the lack of flexibility in the trial process and locations to people of color simply not being asked to participate.

Gaining trust is key: The Black community has a historic mistrust of the process, based on the legacy of Henrietta Lacks and the Tuskegee study, as two examples, noted BlackDoctor.org’s Ellis Dean. Overcoming this requires greater engagement, said Dr. Love.

What policymakers are doing: Last year’s Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act requires drug sponsors to submit diversity action plans for clinical trials to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What BIO’s doing: BIO has prioritized this issue, working with the FDA, companies, and partners (like BlackDoctor.org), launching the ctpop.org website to help patients join clinical trials, and convening important conversations to develop best practices and policy, said BIO’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Cartier Esham.

What’s next: “Now, we need to get to work on implementation,” said Dr. Esham. 

Read more on Bio.News.

More Health News:

Bloomberg: Untreatable gonorrhea threat has drugmakers sprinting for new cures
“Resistant strains are surfacing around the world, and experts say they’ll soon arrive in the US. Two companies, GSK Plc and Innoviva Inc., have new antibiotics for gonorrhea in late-stage trials, with results expected in months.”

President Biden’s Friday: After the daily briefing, heading to Rehoboth Beach, DE.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The House and Senate are in recess through Labor Day.