AI and Micropeptides: The Next Frontier in Biological Crop Protection

As U.S. agriculture continues to balance productivity with sustainability, biological crop protection is emerging as a key innovation area — and artificial intelligence (AI) is helping bring it to scale faster than ever before. One company leading that charge is Micropep Technologies, whose AI-driven discovery platform, Krisalix, is accelerating how new micropeptide-based crop protection products move from idea to reality.

In a recent conversation with AgriBusiness Global, CropLife’s sister brand, Mikael Courbot, Chief Technology Officer at Micropep Technologies, explained how AI is reshaping discovery, expanding peptide design potential, and paving the way for more targeted, sustainable solutions that could one day reshape the U.S. crop protection toolbox.

AI-Powered Discovery for Faster Innovation

Traditionally, bringing a new biological to market can take years of research and testing. Courbot says AI is changing that timeline dramatically.

“Krisalix enables a transformation from molecule design to lab validation in just weeks instead of months,” he says. “That means we can accelerate discovery timelines for new modes of action across fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides.”

Unlike general-purpose AI tools designed for genomic or image analysis, Krisalix was built specifically for peptide-based biosolutions. The system can not only optimize molecule performance but also predict manufacturability and stability — capabilities that streamline R&D and help companies deliver consistent, field-ready biologicals faster.

“This isn’t just about speeding up discovery,” Courbot adds. “It’s a redesign of how biological crop protection is developed for the next generation.”

Micropeptides Move Beyond Fungicides

Micropep’s first product, MPD-01, a biofungicide, serves as the first major validation of the Krisalix platform. But Courbot says the technology’s reach goes far beyond disease control.

“With Krisalix’s modeling capabilities, we can extend peptide design into bioherbicides, biopesticides, and even solutions that enhance plant resilience and nutrition,” he says.

Using advanced modeling, Krisalix can screen millions of peptide candidates, ranking the most promising based on binding strength, efficacy, and stability.

“All we need is a protein target,” Courbot explains. “The platform can handle lead generation from there.”

For U.S. retailers and crop advisers, that means a future where biologicals are not just niche products, but reliable, adaptable tools that fit into existing crop management programs. Peptides, which occur naturally in plants and other organisms, can target specific pests or stress factors with precision — and without adding chemical load to the system.

A Path to New Modes of Action

One of the most promising aspects of Krisalix is its ability to uncover new modes of action — a critical need as resistance challenges continue to mount across multiple crop protection categories.

By combining AI-based peptide generation with predictive protein modeling, Krisalix can simulate how peptides interact with target proteins to disrupt or regulate their function.

“That includes antimicrobial peptides that break down fungal membranes, peptide – protein interaction blockers, and micropeptides that can influence gene translation,” Courbot says.

New biological modes of action could provide valuable tools to extend the life of current chemistries and diversify grower programs — giving ag retailers more options for integrated pest management (IPM) and resistance mitigation.

Data Integrity for Regulatory Confidence

Beyond product discovery, AI also plays a role in improving data quality and traceability — two areas that can influence how quickly new biologicals make it through regulatory review.

Through integration with the company’s ADOPT Knowledge Engine, all Krisalix data are centralized, standardized, and traceable — making it easier to demonstrate reproducibility and product consistency to regulators.

“Given that regulatory frameworks for biologicals are still evolving, having a data-driven process is crucial,” Courbot says. “Krisalix not only enables better molecules but also the transparency regulators need to evaluate them efficiently.”

The Road Ahead

For Courbot and the Micropep team, AI represents more than just a discovery shortcut — it’s a foundation for the future of sustainable innovation.

“Micropeptides combine the precision of chemistry with the sustainability of biologicals,” he says. “AI systems like Krisalix make the process dynamic — we’re constantly learning and improving predictive performance with each cycle.”

With partnerships underway with leading ag input companies such as Corteva and FMC, Micropep is positioning Krisalix as a cornerstone for the next generation of crop inputs — combining innovation, safety, and scalability.

“Ultimately,” Courbot concludes, “AI-driven peptide innovation will help agriculture move toward a future that’s more productive, resilient, and sustainable — and that’s good news for everyone in the ag value chain, from researchers to retailers to growers.”