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CHENGDU, China, May 8, 2026 – Nanjing Red Sun Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Red Sun") and Sichuan Agricultural University held a seminar and an official microbial strain handover ceremony at the university's Chengdu campus today, solidifying a landmark technology transfer agreement. Red Sun has secured an exclusive license from the research team led by Professor Zheng Aiping of the College of Agronomy for the patented microbial strain HS18-1, a deal valued at RMB 10 million. This partnership marks a significant breakthrough for Red Sun in bringing original agricultural microbial innovations to commercial readiness.
At the ceremony, the physical microbial strains were officially handed over to Red Sun's delegation, witnessed by Yang Yi, Chairman of Red Sun, and senior university leaders including Party Secretary Liu Dengcai and Vice President Lu Yanli. Wu Binbin, Chairman of Luhe Capital, was also present at the ceremony.
The in-licensed strain HS18-1 is a novel broad-spectrum insecticidal microbial agent with a unique, multi-target mechanism of action, effectively controlling lepidopteran pests, aphids, and mites. It effectively solves the core problem of pest resistance to chemical pesticides. Demonstrating over 95% control efficacy against major global pests, including the rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis), Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), and cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), the strain has achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 8 or above, signifying its fully ready for immediate industrialized production.
With this acquisition, Red Sun plans to develop a robust portfolio of microbial-based crop protection products. The company targets the establishment of a 20,000-tonne annual capacity smart fermentation production line within three years. The first commercial product, an insecticidal protein-based biopesticide, is anticipated to receive pesticide registration and be launched to the market by 2027. At full production capacity, this product line is projected to generate annual sales and profits and taxes at the hundred-million-yuan level, catalyze supporting industries, and create multi-billion-yuan in associated output value.
This strategic in-licensing is expected to deliver substantial value across economic, social, and ecological dimensions for Red Sun's customers and stakeholders:
Economic Value: Red Sun’s future product is designed to replace 30–50% of conventional chemical pesticide applications, delivering an estimated per-hectare savings of RMB 300–450 per season in product and application costs for growers.
Social Value: The biopesticide produces no chemical residues and requires no pre-harvest interval, enhancing operator and consumer safety. The project is projected to create over 1,000 new jobs and serve more than 100,000 farming households annually.
Ecological Value: The active strain is safe for non-target organisms, including natural enemies and pollinators, and its metabolites leave no toxic residues. Widespread adoption could reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 66,000 metric tons annually.
During the symposium, both parties also discussed deepen industry-university-research cooperation and accelerating the commercialization of scientific achievements.
Source: Nanjing Red Sun Co., Ltd.
Data and technical details as reported by Sichuan Agricultural University.
