Bioinputs
The shift towards sustainable agriculture is driving demand for biological alternatives to conventional pesticides and fertilisers. We provide the science that supports their development, registration and safe use - from early-stage screening and understanding Mode of Action (MoA) through to generating the data required for a regulatory submission.
What we do
Bioinputs - including biopesticides, biostimulants, biofertilisers and microbial inoculants, present a distinct set of scientific and regulatory challenges. Unlike conventional chemicals, they require tailored approaches to efficacy testing, environmental safety assessment and characterisation. We work with developers, registrants and regulators to build the robust evidence base these products need.
Mode of Action
Understanding how a product works is essential for product differentiation – we offer digital phenotyping, genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics to build the picture of exactly how your product works.
Efficacy testing & optimisation
We design and deliver studies to demonstrate that bioinput products work, including under Controlled Environment (CE) / High Stress conditions
Environmental safety assessment
Ecotoxicology and environmental fate studies tailored to biological active substances, including soil, aquatic and pollinator endpoints, to support regulatory dossiers.
Characterisation & identity
Microbial and molecular characterisation of biological active substances, supporting product identity, stability and batch consistency requirements.
Regulatory Support
Expert guidance on the regulatory pathway for your product, whether EU, GB or international, including gap analysis, bespoke study planning and generating the data required for your dossier
Residue & persistence studies
Studies examining the behaviour and persistence of bioinput substances in crop, soil and environmental matrices, including where residue definitions differ from conventional chemistry.
The science behind bioinputs is still developing. Let's make sure yours is built on the strongest possible foundation
Get in touchWho we work with
We support the full breadth of stakeholders involved in bringing bioinputs to market and into practice, from the companies developing and registering new products to the regulators assessing them and the growers adopting them.
Why Fera for Bioinputs science
1.
Genuine breadth
We combine crop science, ecotoxicology, environmental fate, microbiology and regulatory expertise in one organisation. Bioinputs sit at the intersection of all of them.
2.
GLP and non GLP study options available
Flexible to meet your regulatory requirements.
3.
Deep regulatory knowledge
We understand the approval frameworks in GB, the EU and internationally, and how they're evolving as bioinputs gain regulatory prominence.
4.
Independent and trusted
As a part-public sector organisation, our science carries the credibility that developers, regulators and policymakers need.
Who we work with
Biopesticide & biostimulant developers
You need robust, regulator-ready data. We design studies that meet the standard from the outset.
Agrochemical companies
Expanding into biologicals means navigating unfamiliar science and regulation. We know both.
Farmers & growers
New tools only work if the science behind them is sound. We help ensure it is.
Government & regulators
As bioinputs gain regulatory prominence, the frameworks need to keep pace. We support the science that informs them.
Research consortia & funders
We bring applied scientific rigour to collaborative programmes — from early discovery through to field-scale evidence.
