U.S. and EU CROs Adapting to Industry Innovation
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With the U.S. and EU providing some of the most stringent regulations with ag crop protection chemicals and biologicals, contract research organizations (CROs) need to keep up to date with registration demands and how to provide testing for the innovative products coming down the pipeline.
With shifts from ag chemicals to biologicals, as well as ag technology, nanotechnology, and other innovations, CROs must offer more specific testing. Timothy Lyons and Ignacio Colonna give their top three developments for CROs in 2025.
Timothy Lyons
Senior Manager/Crop Protection & Chemical Product Marketing
Labcorp
| 1. Guidance on advancing the development of ag chem biological products and other innovative products as the biological segment of product development continues to rise. |
| 2. Leveraging of New Approach Methods (NAMS) and in vitro alternatives for both earlier and deeper insights in their development program and for regulatory submission. The industry is hyper-aware of finding effective strategies to include NAMs in their testing approach in order to fulfill the commitment to 3Rs (Reducing, Refining, Replacing of Animal Testing). |
| 3. Active Ingredient Registrations and Renewals with proper gap analysis and regulatory audits is crucial to a seamless process for successful renewals. |
Ignacio Colonna
Global Director of Science and Technology
AgriThority
| 1. CROs will continue to adapt to new types of products as new discoveries are made and adapt to evolving protocols. Companies and innovators will have to plan further in advance as novel products require more in-depth planning to ensure the right environmental conditions for their evaluations. |
| 2. A continued increase in trials for soil amendments and biological fertilizers in 2025, due in part to increased fertilizer costs and environmental regulations in certain areas. These products are intended to improve nutrient availability from conventional fertilizers or nutrients. |
| 3. CROs will need to provide more detailed information about their capacity, infrastructure, and specific trial locations well in advance of the planting date, including detailed field characterization. In addition, the level of documentation and verification may continue to increase as compliance regulations rise. |
| 4.CROs will need to put special focus on the development and routine adoption of new characterization tools to allow an objective assessment of new product effects on plant growth and health and on the soil environment. Standard procedures coming from evaluation of conventional technologies have gaps in providing the information required for an adequate assessment of a new biological product such as a biostimulant, biofertilizer or a biopesticide. In addition, the reporting process may need to evolve to modern standards, including the adaptation of documentation and verification to the rise in compliance regulations. • |
Read full interview with Colonna
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Timothy Lyons, Labcorp
Ignacio Colonna, AgriThority
