GSP Crop Science wins exclusive patent for insecticide formulation to combat whitefly

GSP Crop Science, a leader in the agrochemical business and India’s first company to develop the SE formulation in its R&D centre, has got an exclusive patent for its synergistic suspo-emulsion formulation of Pyriproxifen and Diafenthiuron (branded GSP SLR 525 SE Formulation) by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks, a subordinate office under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

In a major development, the Controller of Patents and Designs issued an order in favour of GSP Crop Science for its insecticide formulation which would control the deadly effect of whitefly insects in the country. GSP Crop Science is the first Indian agrochemical company to manufacture Diafenthiuron locally in India and has also been exporting to various countries. GSP is also the first to produce this unique combination of Diafenthiuron + Pyriproxifen in an SE formulation.

Whiteflies have been a cause of direct and indirect damage to yield in agriculture, horticulture and forestry crop plants. They have become a major cause of concern for the agriculture sector of the country. As per the statistics, approximately 1.35 hectares of coconut and oil palm in India are affected by whiteflies, which also seriously impede the ability of farms to process cotton harvests.

GSP’s new insecticide formulation SLR 525 SE is a trusted brand among farmers and the first choice for control of the deadly whitefly insect. It controls and manages effectively all life stages of the deadly whitefly, which has devastated cotton. It is effective on the plant surface due to its fast and evenly spreading and translaminar action. Being a water-based solution, it eliminates the harmful effects of solvents used in EC formulation on the environment.

On winning this patent, Bhavesh Shah, Managing Director, GSP Crop Science, said, “After almost eight years of blood, sweat and tears with the help of our R&D and Legal team, GSP has been granted a patent for a combination product that will be of great advantage to the farmers. Our product SLR 525, which helps fight pest attacks of whitefly in vegetables and cotton in all stages, is the first of its kind in the Indian market. We project this molecule to generate revenue of almost Rs 400 crores yearly within the next few years. We expect the market for this product to grow even further.”

However, getting an exclusive patent for GSP Crop Science was tough. There were seven pre-grant oppositions filed by various opponents. Subsequently, one was withdrawn and the remaining six were heard and argued thoroughly before the Controller in September 2021 at Delhi’s Patent Office. On April 8, 2022, the patent was finally granted, bearing no. 394568, effective from the filing date (27/1/2014) which is valid for 20 years, subject to the timely payment of renewal fees every year.

Bhavesh Shah believes that GSP Crop Science can massively grow its market share of this whitefly business in 2022-23. He said, “This allows us to demonstrate the strength of GSP’s ability to bring technical innovations that are recognized internationally with the grant of an exclusive patent for its unique formulations, as well as a strong initiative to build an exclusive distribution channel to make this patented product exclusively available, thereby expanding our distribution network and further strengthening our portfolio acceptance in a wider channel outreach.”