Patent Application: Plant Pest Control using Cas12a2 Protein

ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Biotech (C12N)

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has published a patent application (US20260085302A1) from Confluence Genetics, LLC, detailing methods and compositions for controlling plant pests using Cas12a2 protein and guide polynucleotides. The application describes targeting specific DNA or RNA sequences within plant pests for elimination.

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What changed

This document is a published patent application from Confluence Genetics, LLC, detailing novel compositions and methods for controlling plant pests. The core innovation involves using a Cas12a2 protein and guide polynucleotides to target and eliminate specific DNA or RNA sequences within pests, thereby controlling infestations. The application, filed on September 19, 2025, and published as US20260085302A1, outlines the technical specifications of this biotechnology.

As this is a patent application, it does not impose immediate regulatory obligations or compliance deadlines on regulated entities. However, it signifies potential future developments in agricultural pest control technologies. Companies operating in the agricultural, biotechnology, and potentially pharmaceutical sectors should monitor the progress of this patent application and related intellectual property developments, as granted patents could impact market exclusivity and product development strategies in pest management solutions.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Applications

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING PLANT PESTS

Application US20260085302A1 Kind: A1 Mar 26, 2026

Assignee

Confluence Genetics, LLC

Inventors

Matthew Brett Begemann, Emma Elizabeth January, Allison Jane Newton Antonakos, Jason K. Bull, Anna Singer

Abstract

Compositions and methods for targeting pre-determined DNA or RNA sequences in plant pests are provided. The methods result in the targeted elimination of plant pests that comprise the pre-determined DNA or RNA sequence(s). Compositions comprise a Cas12a2 protein, or a polynucleotide encoding the same, and at least one guide polynucleotide, or a polynucleotide encoding the same, wherein each guide polynucleotide comprises a portion complementary to a pre-determined target sequence of a plant pest. Methods to use these compositions to selectively target and eliminate plant pests that harbor the targeted DNA or RNA sequence(s) are described herein.