One of us at G2 (Rick) has a long history of participating in the analytical chemistry associated with product registrations with the US EPA and/or US FDA. All of this occurred as contract research (CR) projects during Rick's tenure with Centre Analytical Laboratories, which he and a partner then recreated into Exygen Research. These years of industrial CR give G2 a unique perspective on the design and conduct of product efficacy studies for natural substances being registered for potential use on horticultural crops.
If you are from the crop protection industry, the dietary supplement industry, or the natural products industry, I need to make something very clear. G2 does NOT provide GLP services, neither in analytical chemistry nor in field trials. GLPs (Good Laboratory Practices) are a tightly regulated section of Federal law which ensure that chemical and pharmaceutical product development produces products which are safe for use in humans. The contract research organizations (CROs) which provide these services must conduct their contract services to these same GLP standards. I did this for almost 20 years, and have a deep understanding of both the law and the practice. Our QAU reported directly to me as management during most of this period.
G2 does not work under GLPs. However ...
We do conduct product efficacy trials when an appropriate opportunity arises. For instance, because we choose to maintain G2's research farm in a sustainable manner, we do not conduct trials on experimental chemicals of synthetic origin. Natural products, biological products, biostimulants, even pheromones --- yes. Experimental synthetic pesticides --- no.
Similarly, because our target markets have expressed a non-GMO position, we do not work with or trial GMO plants on G2's research farm. No transgenics, no cisgenics, no GMOs. We understand the science. We understand the law re GMOs both in the US and around the world. We recognize the penetration of GMOs into US field crop agriculture. Nonetheless, our current markets have declared "No GMOs", and we respect that position.
What kind of product efficacy research will we conduct? Organic fertilizer trials, either standalone or in comparison to synthetics (some of our research plots are not strictly organic). Biostimulant trials. Biological control trials, either greenhouse or field. Planting product trials (mulches, irrigation, trellising). All of these are conducted with scientific rigor and data collection. All are conducted to G2's strict confidentiality protocols.
Call us with your questions re product efficacy trials. We'd welcome an opportunity to be of service.
