Federal Grant Award Summary

Lepidext, Inc. received a $305,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084), effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The company is developing accelerated discovery methods for species-specific sterilizing viral biopesticides as alternatives to chemical pest control. The primary deliverable focuses on creating a scalable platform to systematically identify and isolate naturally occurring insect viruses—particularly those that render target pests sterile—addressing a critical bottleneck in biocontrol development. Initial application targets corn pest management, specifically the corn earworm population, with potential expansion across diverse crops and regions.

Under this Phase I funding, Lepidext will advance its proprietary InsterushZ technology, which leverages sexually transmitted viruses to sterilize adult insects without chemical residues or resistance development concerns. The research seeks to transform biological pest control agent discovery from reliance on chance observations to a methodical, scientifically-informed approach. Successful completion would enable farmers to reduce chemical pesticide dependency, decrease crop losses, lower input costs, and support sustainable agriculture while strengthening rural economies and extending the commercial viability of existing agricultural biotechnology investments.