Apex Bait Technologies Receives USDA Grant

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Apex Bait Technologies, a product development company founded by Dr. Dangsheng Liang in 2002, announced it has secured a $650,000 Phase II grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This grant supports a two-year research project focused on developing advanced solutions for controlling snails and slugs, which are significant pests causing economic losses in temperate agricultural systems worldwide.

Phase I research demonstrated the technical feasibility of a novel bait formulation targeting snails and slugs. This formulation uses natural attractants combined with low-risk active ingredients to boost effectiveness. With promising results and significant commercial potential, the USDA NIFA has committed to advancing the development of this innovative technology.

"This USDA funding validates our leading position in pest bait technology" said Liang. "We are eager to enhance pest management strategies not just for insect pests, but also other pests when possible, providing more ecological friendly and effective solutions."

The economic damage caused by snails and slugs is extensive, with losses in the U.S. alone estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. Apex's new bait aims to provide a sustainable alternative to existing chemical molluscicides, which dominate the market yet often produce inconsistent results and environmental concerns. Apex’s approach seeks to offer an economical and eco-friendly solution that remains effective under varied field conditions.

"We are thrilled to receive this grant as it helps us further our mission to develop and commercialize sustainable and effective pest control technologies," said Dr. Abhinav Maurya, chief technology officer at Apex. "Snails and slugs cause extensive damage to a variety of crops, from fruits and vegetables to root plants. Our new bait technology targets these pests precisely and aims to minimize environmental impact."

Dr. Naomi Manu, the lead scientist, added, "Phase I research has been successful, and our product has shown amazing results in field trials. We are confident that the final product developed through Phase II will deliver an exceptional experience to end users."