West Lafayette startup lands Bayer award for crop protection research – Inside INdiana Business

Akanocure Pharmaceuticals Receives Grants4Ag Award from Bayer

West Lafayette-based Akanocure Pharmaceuticals Inc. has been selected as one of the recipients of the Grants4Ag Award by Bayer, a biotechnology firm based in Germany. This award will provide funding and expertise to support Akanocure’s research and development efforts in combating fungal infections in crops.

The Grants4Ag Award and Sustainable Development Goals

The Grants4Ag Award is an annual initiative that aims to promote sustainable agriculture and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, the focus of the awards is on technologies for the next generation of crop-protection solutions, aligning with SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Akanocure Pharmaceuticals’ Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture

Akanocure Pharmaceuticals, a startup affiliated with Purdue University, is dedicated to developing antifungal compounds that address the challenges faced in crop development. By fine-tuning the physical and chemical properties of these compounds, Akanocure aims to enhance their efficacy and safety for the environment and human consumption, supporting SDG 15: Life on Land and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

• The company’s compounds target a broad spectrum of fungi species that affect different varieties of crops, contributing to SDG 2: Zero Hunger.
• Through their research, Akanocure Pharmaceuticals aims to reduce crop loss caused by fungal infections, which can feed nearly 9% of the global population, aligning with SDG 2: Zero Hunger.
• By developing innovative antifungal candidates, Akanocure Pharmaceuticals addresses the need for new solutions to combat evolving fungal pathogens, supporting SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Collaboration with Bayer and Future Prospects

Akanocure Pharmaceuticals’ selection as one of the few recipients of the Grants4Ag Award reflects the company’s excellence in agricultural research and development. The award not only provides funding but also includes mentoring and biological testing resources, enabling Akanocure to further advance their innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture.

In addition to their crop-protection research, Akanocure Pharmaceuticals is also involved in developing chemical building blocks for potential use in cancer treatment, contributing to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. In 2020, the company received a $750,000 Small Business Innovation Research Phase II grant from the National Science Foundation for their cancer research.

Akanocure Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to sustainable agriculture and their contributions to addressing global challenges align with the Sustainable Development Goals. Through their innovative solutions, they are making significant strides towards achieving a more sustainable and food-secure future.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. Specific Targets Identified:

1. Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems
2. Target 3.3: End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases
3. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities in industrial sectors
4. Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste
5. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards
6. Target 15.1: Ensure conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied:

• Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
• Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new cases and deaths from fungal infections among crops
• Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP
• Indicator 12.4.2: Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated, discharged, and stored
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis:

The article highlights the efforts of Akanocure Pharmaceuticals Inc., which is addressing various sustainable development goals through its research and development activities.

1. SDGs Addressed:

The issues discussed in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The company aims to develop compounds to fight fungal infections in crops, which can help ensure sustainable food production systems.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The company’s research on antifungal compounds contributes to ending the epidemics of fungal infections among crops, which can impact human health and well-being.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Akanocure Pharmaceuticals’ focus on research and development aligns with the goal of enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities in the industrial sector.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The company’s approach to fine-tuning compounds’ properties for higher efficacy and safety demonstrates a commitment to environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The development of antifungal candidates to address global crop problems contributes to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Akanocure Pharmaceuticals’ research supports the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems by targeting a broad spectrum of fungi species affecting different varieties of crops.

2. Specific Targets Identified:

The article provides information related to specific targets under the identified SDGs:

1. Target 2.4: Sustainable food production systems – Akanocure Pharmaceuticals’ research and development of compounds aim to combat fungal infections in crops, contributing to sustainable food production systems.
2. Target 3.3: End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases – The company’s focus on developing antifungal compounds addresses the epidemic of fungal infections among crops.
3. Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

   Source: insideindianabusiness.com

    

   

   Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.