PI Industries Unveils India’s First Indigenously Discovered Insecticide Molecule Pioxaniliprole

Indian agrochemical company PI Industries Limited has unveiled Pioxaniliprole, recognised by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) as India’s first domestically discovered insecticide active ingredient. The announcement, made in New Delhi on 29 October 2026, represents an important milestone in indigenous agricultural research, following more than a decade of scientific development, field evaluations and regulatory studies.

Pioxaniliprole has been developed through PI Industries’ research and development programme, involving expertise in molecular discovery, chemistry, biology, formulation science, toxicology, agronomy and manufacturing. The molecule has received regulatory registration in India and is intended to be marketed under the brand name Pioxazon for controlling specified insect pests affecting major agricultural crops.

CIB&RC Recognises India’s First Domestically Discovered Insecticide

The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, functioning under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has formally recognised Pioxaniliprole as the first insecticide active ingredient discovered in India.

The registration covers the technical material and its formulated product, representing the completion of the regulatory process for the approved applications. PI Industries had announced the registration milestone in September 2026, while the formal unveiling took place on 29 October.

According to the company, the achievement represents the successful progression of its first proprietary insecticide molecule from original discovery through research, development and regulatory registration. The programme involved extensive scientific evaluations conducted under Indian agricultural conditions, including multilocation field trials and regulatory studies undertaken with participation from the country’s agricultural research ecosystem.

The development establishes a distinction between manufacturing crop-protection chemicals using previously discovered active ingredients and originating a proprietary insecticide molecule through domestic research.

Pioxaniliprole Approved for Pest Control Across Four Crops

According to PI Industries’ published registration information, the Pioxaniliprole 20% w/v suspension concentrate formulation has been approved for use against specified insect pests affecting rice, chilli, tomato and Bengal gram.

For rice cultivation, the approved applications cover yellow stem borer, leaf folder and fall armyworm. In chilli, the registered targets include fruit borer and tobacco caterpillar, while the formulation is approved against fruit borer in tomato and pod borer in Bengal gram.

These insects are among the agricultural pests that can affect crop production, making effective pest-management strategies important for farmers cultivating the affected crops.

The registration permits the product’s use for the specified crop-pest combinations in accordance with its approved label and applicable regulatory requirements. Farmers must follow the authorised application instructions, dosage limits and safety precautions, as the approval does not extend automatically to other crops or pests.

PI Industries has announced plans to introduce the product commercially during the 2026–27 Rabi season under the Pioxazon brand.

More Than a Decade of Indigenous Agricultural Research

PI Industries stated that the development of Pioxaniliprole involved more than ten years of original scientific research, sustained investment and collaboration across specialised research disciplines.

The company’s development programme brought together molecular discovery, synthetic chemistry, biological evaluation, formulation development, toxicological assessment, agronomic research and process engineering. These activities formed part of an integrated research effort intended to develop an original crop-protection active ingredient suitable for agricultural applications.

Pioxaniliprole underwent multilocation field trials and scientific assessments under Indian agricultural conditions. According to PI Industries, the programme involved engagement with agricultural research institutions, including State Agricultural Universities, to evaluate the molecule’s performance and support the regulatory process.

The company has emphasised that developing an original active ingredient requires expertise extending beyond chemical synthesis, including the ability to identify promising molecules, investigate biological performance, establish suitable formulations and complete the necessary regulatory assessments.

PI Industries Builds Indigenous Research Capabilities

PI Industries has developed an extensive research and development ecosystem supporting its agricultural chemicals and life sciences businesses.

According to the company’s October 2026 announcement, its research organisation includes more than 700 scientists, including over 200 researchers holding doctoral qualifications. The company also reported a portfolio exceeding 260 patents, reflecting its investment in proprietary technologies and scientific development.

Its research capabilities encompass multiple disciplines associated with agricultural chemistry, biological research, formulation technology, process development and manufacturing.

The company stated that Pioxaniliprole represents the first outcome of a broader innovation pipeline covering chemistry, biology and biochemical solutions.

The development is associated with PI Industries’ strategy of expanding its capabilities from manufacturing and developing agricultural chemicals towards originating proprietary technologies and intellectual property through research undertaken in India.

Company Highlights Importance of Original Scientific Discovery

Mayank Singhal, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of PI Industries, described the unveiling of Pioxaniliprole as the culmination of a long-term effort to establish indigenous crop-protection discovery capabilities.

According to Singhal, the company began developing its original discovery programme more than a decade ago, supported by sustained investment and a commitment to advancing scientific research.

He stated that Pioxaniliprole demonstrates the potential of combining an understanding of Indian agricultural conditions with advanced scientific capabilities to develop original crop-protection technologies.

The company also highlighted the importance of indigenous intellectual property in its ambition to become a globally competitive, innovation-led life sciences organisation.

Narayan K. Seshadri, Chairperson of PI Industries, emphasised the role of long-term investment, scientific expertise and sustained institutional commitment in achieving the research milestone. He identified the discovery as a foundation for the company’s continuing efforts to develop differentiated agricultural technologies.

Commercial Introduction Planned Under Pioxazon Brand

Following regulatory registration, PI Industries is preparing to introduce Pioxaniliprole to the Indian agricultural market under the Pioxazon brand.

According to the company’s announcements and contemporary reporting, commercial introduction is planned for the Rabi season, with the product intended for use against the registered insect pests affecting rice, chilli, tomato and Bengal gram.

The company has not announced a comprehensive nationwide availability schedule or detailed commercial sales projections in the information reviewed.

The regulatory registration provides the basis for introducing the formulated product for its approved applications, subject to applicable requirements governing insecticide distribution, labelling and use.

The planned commercial introduction represents the next stage in PI Industries’ programme to translate its indigenous molecular research into an agricultural crop-protection product.

Strengthening India’s Indigenous Agricultural Innovation

India has an established agricultural chemicals manufacturing industry, while the discovery of new proprietary active ingredients involves a separate set of scientific, technical and regulatory capabilities.

PI Industries has identified the development of indigenous molecular discovery as an important part of its long-term strategy to strengthen original research and intellectual property creation in India.

The company’s Pioxaniliprole programme reflects sustained investment in scientific infrastructure, collaboration with agricultural research institutions and the development of capabilities spanning the entire product-development process.

According to PI Industries, the achievement supports its broader objective of developing original technologies capable of addressing agricultural challenges in India and international markets.

The company has described Pioxaniliprole as a milestone in its journey towards building a global, innovation-led life sciences organisation, with original science and intellectual property developed in India. Its successful registration and unveiling mark the completion of more than a decade of indigenous research and the beginning of the molecule’s planned commercial introduction for Indian agriculture.