TyraTech® Essential Oil Screening Process

The TyraTech screening platform facilitates the development of products that are selective for invertebrates. The selected and cloned G protein coupled receptor targets are only active in invertebrates, (e.g. insects, parasites) so mammalian toxicity is less likely to be an issue, providing products that are safer than traditional synthetic chemical pesticides.

An example of the synergistic capability of TyraTech's platform is provided in the table below. This data shows that the activity of individual ingredients discovered with the TyraTech platform to kill the American Cockroach is synergistically increased to enable a rapid time to kill when used together in a blend:

Ingredients	Mean time to kill (American Cockroach)
Ingredient A	45 minutes
Ingredient B	64 minutes
Ingredient C	57 minutes
Ingredient D	13 minutes
A,B,C and D blend	<½ minute

There are several important benefits in achieving this level of synergy, including a superior performance or efficacy, improved product margins, as well as the basis for strong patent protection. An additional benefit expected form the multi-receptor target is a marked reduction in resistance development by the targeted insects or parasites. Development of resistance is an increasing problem with the use of the single receptor synthetic chemicals, resulting in the requirement for higher concentrations and/ or increased number of chemistries used to achieve the desired efficacy, or in certain cases, no longer being able to use the chemical pesticide.

TyraTech's proprietary technology is based on a unique discovery platform for the identification of both individual and combinations of compounds that can bind to sensitive G-protein coupled neurological receptors of invertebrates (for example, insects and certain parasites). Compounds that bind to and activate these receptors have been shown to be powerful insecticides by triggering a disruption of the intra-cellular cAMP and "calcium cascade" pathway that is necessary for insect function and survival. This effect results in the repelling or killing of the invertebrate pests.

Primary Sources for Active Ingredients
The principal source of the natural materials that are used in TyraTech products are plant essential oils. These oils are naturally occurring chemicals which have evolved for plant defense against invertebrate attackers, and which can act as insecticides or repellents. Essential oils comprise the volatile compounds contained in the odorous parts of plants and are normally prepared by steam distillation. Examples of these oils include geranium, citrus and thyme oil. They are contained in flowers, roots, bark, stems, leaves, fruits and seeds.