Apex Bait Technologies Secures Funding to Develop Stable Fly Control Technology

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -  Apex Bait Technologies, a leader in innovative pest control technologies, was recently awarded a $650,000 Phase II grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Small Business Innovation Research (USDA SBIR) program. The grant will fund two years of advanced research into controlling the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, an economically devastating pest responsible for estimated yearly losses of nearly $2.2 billion to the U.S. livestock industry.

Apex successfully completed Phase I research, establishing the technical feasibility of a novel liquid bait (Apex-FLB) to control stable flies. Following this success, the USDA recognized the commercial potential of this groundbreaking work and funded the continued development of this proprietary liquid bait formulation, which uses natural attractants and low-risk insecticides.

"We are incredibly excited to have been awarded this grant," said Dr. Abhinav Maurya, chief technology officer at Apex. "This funding will significantly accelerate our research and enable us to further refine our stable fly control technology. We're not only developing next-gen technologies, but we're aiming to create solutions with global implications. In addition to causing billions in losses to U.S. livestock, stable flies are also the vector of lumpy skin disease, which is devastating the cattle industry in Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. As someone born and raised in India, I feel a personal responsibility to develop technologies that have worldwide implications including India. This grant will help us continue our work towards this vision of worldwide commercialization."

Since its inception, Apex has been committed to creating innovative solutions for pest control. The company has developed a range of excellent bait technologies that have been licensed and incorporated into products sold worldwide. This new grant award highlights the company's continued dedication to improving pest control technologies and strategies and their dedication to technical excellence.

"USDA funding for Apex-FLB provides unique third-party validation. We are deeply grateful to the USDA for recognizing our work and are eager to continue advancing our mission to create more sustainable, efficient, and effective pest control solutions,” said Dr. Dangsheng Liang, founder and CEO at Apex.