New Zealand kiwifruit company Zespri has formed a partnership with U.S. bacteriophage producer OmniLytics Incorporated.

Zespri will incorporate the Utah-based company's bacteria-killing viruses into its global research and development programme into kiwifruit vine-killing disease Psa.

Zespri innovation manager Bryan Parkes said Bacteriophage, otherwise known as 'phage', are non-toxic to humans, plants and animals, did not leave residues and didn't have harmful side effects.

Phage are also relatively 'inexpensive' to produce and have proven to be highly effective with other plant bacterial diseases.

OmniLytics CEO Justin Reber said the company felt a sense of urgency from the industry to find a solution to Psa-V.

"We are moving forward with urgency on this project to help provide the kiwifruit industry with a viable, long-term bacterial control solution," he said.

"Our relationship with Zespri is a perfect illustration of OmniLytics' partnering strategy to team with 'world leaders' in their respective markets with a goal to jointly develop and commercialize innovative bacteriophage solutions."

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