SPEAR® LEP, tested in 2024, effectively controlled Old World Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) larvae, reducing fruit damage and supporting tomato yields, aligning with integrated pest management (IPM) goals.

SPEAR® LEP demonstrated efficacy against Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella), reducing larval entry into apples, protecting fruit quality, and offering a residue-conscious solution for pome fruit growers.

SPEAR® LEP, applied twice at 7–10-day intervals, effectively reduced Olive Moth (Prays oleae) populations and protected olive yields, evaluated 28–32 days post-application by Eurofins and SAGEA.

Two applications of SPEAR® LEP at an 8-day interval significantly reduced European Grape Berry Moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella) larvae, safeguarding grape clusters, assessed 31 days post-application by Qualiphyt

One of the team’s most significant achievements is regulatory success in Europe, a region known for its rigorous standards.

Vestaron secured four Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) between 2024 and 2025, a milestone that positions them as leaders in creating a new regulatory pathway for biologicals.

“We’ve made a significant upfront investment in time and resources to secure robust labels from the start,” she says.

Unlike many small startups that launch with a one crop-one pest approach, her team conducted extensive trials across multiple crops and pests in just two seasons. Dan Peck, Director of International Field Development, although based in the US, managed 120 European trials a year himself in addition to other responsibilities, a feat she describes as “unheard of” in field development.  Dawn believes this speaks to the unmatched level of dedication and passion the “small but mighty” team has displayed at every turn. Additionally, they invested in local consultants in Europe, fostered relationships with grower associations, and conducted extra demo trials to meet EU requirements.

“Every EUA required us to do additional work, more commercial-focused demos,” Dawn notes. “We had someone on the ground to help them apply it for the first time and understand the data, to answer questions.”

This strategy has not only secured approvals but also built trust with regulators and grower associations on the ground. While the rapid pace of development, testing, and commercialization has set a new standard for the industry, Vestaron understands the value of partnerships and collaboration.

“We’ve got an incredibly deep pipeline, and it’s going to take a large amount of resources to fully exploit it,” she says. To accelerate this process, the team is exploring partnerships with producers, manufacturers, distributors, and research institutions. “We’re actively working with several partners to get these great products to the growers who need them,” she says, highlighting the global interest in their technology. Grower support groups across Europe are advocating for faster regulatory approvals, eager to integrate these solutions into their programs.

For Dawn, the work is deeply personal. Having started her career in public health, she finds a similar sense of purpose in agriculture. “I thought I’d miss the altruism of human health, but it’s still here in a different way,” she says. “You’re feeding people, you’re feeding the world. That’s a great feeling.”