Contact Information

Education

04/1983 - 09/1984              Post-doctoral research in the group of   Professor Robert E. Ireland, California Institute of Technology (Caltech),   Pasadena, CA, USA.

01/1979 - 04/1983              Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (April 1983), Federal   Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland, Supervisor: Professor   Oskar Jeger.

10/1975 - 09/1978              Master degree (Diploma in Chemistry, Federal Institute of   Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland.

Professional Experience

05/2020 – present              Owner of CreInSol MCB, Rodersdorf,   Switzerland - a company providing consulting services to companies in the   fields of research and development of chemical and biological crop protection   agents, to agriculture and food production. The company also provides   services in the field of education and training and is actively involved in   research to deliver new, modern products and solutions for the agricultural   industry.

04/2011 – 04/2020              Research Portfolio   Manager Insect Control & Seedcare, Research &   Development, Syngenta Crop Protection, Basel, Switzerland

09/2008 - 04/2011               Head Portfolio   Strategy Team Insecticides, Research &   Development, Syngenta Crop Protection, Stein, Switzerland

10/2000 - 09/2008              Group Leader Insecticide Chemistry, Analytics   & Automation, Research &   Development, Syngenta Crop Protection, Stein, Switzerland.

10/1997 - 09/2000              Head of Chemistry 2, Crop   Protection Research, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland

05/1988 - 09/1997              Group Leader, Insecticide   Research, Ciba Geigy, Basel, Switzerland

10/1984 - 04/1988              Research Chemist, Animal   Health Research, Ciba Geigy, Basel, Switzerland

Short CV

·           Peter   Maienfisch is the owner of CreInSol MCB, a company formed in April 2020.   Previously he held the role as Research Portfolio Manager Insect Control   & Seedcare at Syngenta Crop Protection AG in Switzerland (until April   2020). In this role he was responsible to define the research strategies and   to govern all insecticide, nematicide and seedcare research projects across   technologies from their initiation to the delivery to development.

·           Furthermore,   he works as Honorary Professor at the East China University of Science and   Technology (ECUST), Shanghai, China, and as lecturer at the University of   Basel, Switzerland.

·           Peter   Maienfisch studied chemistry at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology   (ETH) in Zürich, Switzerland, where he received his PhD in 1983. Afterwards   he spent almost 2 years at the California Institute of   Technology (Caltech; Pasadena, CA, USA) to perform post-doctoral research in   the group of Robert E. Ireland.

·           During his   career he held several different leadership functions in Crop Protection   R&D including Group Leader Insecticide Chemistry, Analytics &   Automation at Syngenta, Head of Chemistry in Crop Protection Research at   Novartis and Group Leader in Insecticide Research at Ciba.

·           His track   record of innovation and successful introduction of new technologies includes   authorship of more than 200 scientific papers and patents. He is the inventor   of thiamethoxam (Actara®, Cruiser®, one of the leading insecticides   world-wide with annual sales of more than 1 billion $), and championed the development   of this innovative insecticide. Furthermore, he initiated research on many   new chemical classes at Syngenta and made essential contributions to the   discovery and optimization of several new active ingredients, such as   Spiropidion, Isocycloseram, Cyclobutrifluram and a malaria vector control   compound, which are expected to reach the market in the next couple of years.   His scientific contributions also led to many invitations as a speaker and   co-organizer of many international congresses, including IUPAC Crop   Protection congresses.

Research Interests

·           Design,   synthesis, characterization and development of novel environmentally friendly   products and solutions for Crop Protection, Animal Health and Vector Control

·           Organic chemistry and synthetic methodology

·           Bioactive   compounds – insecticides, nematicides, parasiticides, and vector control   agents

·           Structure   activity relationships, phys.-chem. properties, modelling, bioisosterism   & scaffold hopping, halogen-containing agrochemicals, pro-pesticides

·           Semiochemicals   incl. pheromones, crop health and crop enhancement incl. biostimulants,   natural defense activators

 Publications (Selection)

1.       Design, synthesis and acaricidal activities   of Cyflumetofen analogues based on carbon-silicon isosteric replacement. Cong   Zhou, Jiagao Cheng, Ryan Beadle, Fergus G Earley, Zhong Li, Peter   Maienfisch, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2020.   115509 . in press.

2.       RNA-Based Biocontrols—A New Paradigm in Crop   Protection. Matthew Bramlett, Geert Plaetinck, Peter Maienfisch.   Engineering, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2019.09.008 , in   press.  

3.       Spiro-N‐methoxy piperidine ring containing aryldiones for the   control of sucking insects and mites: discovery of spiropidion. Michel   Muehlebach, Peter Maienfisch, et.al. Pest Manag. Sci. 2020,   (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI 10.1002/ps.5743, in press.

4.       Recent nematicides. Maienfisch, Peter,   Loiseleur, Olivier; Slaats, Brigitte. In: Modern Crop Protection Compounds   (3nd Edition) (2018). Eds.: Peter Jeschke, Matthias Witschel, Wolfgang   Krämer, Ulrich Schirmer.

5.       Selective Feeding Blochers: Pymetrozine,   Flonicamid, and Pyrifluquinazon. Maienfisch Peter. In: Modern Crop   Protection Compounds (3nd Edition) (2018). Eds.: Peter Jeschke, Matthias   Witschel, Wolfgang Krämer, Ulrich Schirmer.

6.       Six-membered compounds: thiamethoxam and AKD   1022. Maienfisch Peter. In: Modern Crop Protection Compounds (2nd   Edition) (2018). Eds.: Peter Jeschke, Matthias Witschel, Wolfgang Krämer,   Ulrich Schirmer.

7.       Thiazole and Isothiazole Ring–Containing   Compounds in Crop Protection. Maienfisch Peter, Edmunds Andrew J.F.   In: Advances in Heterocyclic Chemistry, Eds.:    Scriven E.F.V., Ramsden Ch.A. Volume 121, 2017, Pages 35-88.

8.       The invertebrate pharmacology of insecticides   acting at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Andrew J. Crossthwaite, Aurelien   Bigot, Philippe Camblin, Jim Goodchild, Robert J. Lind, Russell Slater and Peter   Maienfisch. J. Pestic. Sci. 42(3), 67–83 (2017)

9.       Identification and Optimization of New Leads   for Malaria Vector Control. Hueter Ottmar F; Hoppe Mark; Wege Philip; Maienfisch   Peter. Chimia (2016), 70(10), 698-703.

10.     Evaluation of Commercial Agrochemicals as New   Tools for Malaria Vector Control. Hoppe Mark; Hueter Ottmar F; Bywater Andy;   Wege Philip; Maienfisch Peter. Chimia (2016), 70(10), 721-729.

11.     Modern Agribusiness - Markets, Companies,   Benefits and Challenges. Maienfisch Peter, Stevenson Thomas M. In:   Discovery and Synthesis of Crop Protection Products. Editor(s): Peter   Maienfisch, Thomas M. Stevenson, ACS Symposium Series Volume 1204. Chapter 1,   pp 1-13. Publication Date (Web): November 4, 2015.

12.     Investigating the mode of action of   sulfoxaflor: a fourth-generation neonicotinoid. Cutler Penny, Slater Russell,   Edmunds Andrew J. F., Maienfisch Peter, Hall Roger G., Earley Fergus   G. P., Pitterna Thomas, Pal Sitaram, Paul Verity-Laura, Goodchild Jim. Pest   Management Science (2013), 69(5), 607-619.

13.     Spiroindolines identify the vesicular   acetylcholine transporter as a novel target for insecticide action. Sluder   Ann, Shah Sheetal, Cassayre Jerome, Clover Ralph, Maienfisch Peter,   Molleyres Louis-Pierre, Hirst Elizabeth A., Flemming Anthony J., Shi Min,   Cutler Penny. PLoS One (2012), 7(5), e34712. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0034712.

14.     New ventures in the chemistry of avermectins.   By Pitterna, Thomas; Cassayre, Jerome; Huter, Ottmar Franz; Jung, Pierre M.   J.; Maienfisch, Peter; Kessabi, Fiona Murphy; Quaranta, Laura; Tobler,   Hans. From Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (2009), 17(12), 4085-4095.

15.     Studies related to the total synthesis of the   sesquiterpene core of the pyrrolobenzoxazine natural products CJ-12662 and   CJ-12663. Commandeur Malgorzata, Commandeur Claude, De Paolis   Michael, Edmunds, Andrew J. F., Maienfisch Peter, Ghosez Leon. Tetrahedron   Letters (2009), 50(26), 3359-3362.

16.     Thiamethoxam: high-affinity binding and   unusual mode of interference with other neonicotinoids at aphid membranes.   Kayser Hartmut, Wellmann Henning, Lee Connie, Decock Arnaud, Gomes Marilyne,   Cheek Ben, Lind Rob, Baur Markus, Hattenschwiler Joerg, Maienfisch Peter.   ACS Symposium Series (2007), 948 (Synthesis and Chemistry of Agrochemicals   VII), 67-81.

17.     Comparative analysis of neonicotinoid binding   to insect membranes: I. A structure-activity study of the mode of   [3H]imidacloprid displacement in Myzus persicae and Aphis craccivora. Kayser Hartmut, Lee Connie, Decock Arnaud, Baur Markus,   Haettenschwiler Joerg, Maienfisch Peter. Pest Management   Science (2004), 60(10), 945-958.

18.     The importance of fluorine in the life   science industry. Maienfisch Peter, Hall Roger G. Chimia (2004), 58(3),   93-99.

19.     Gem-difluorovinyl derivatives as insecticides   and acaricides. Pitterna Thomas, Boeger Manfred, Maienfisch Peter.   Chimia (2004), 58(3), 108-116.

20.     Azido-neonicotinoids as candidate   photoaffinity probes for insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Maienfisch Peter, Haettenschwiler   Joerg, Rindlisbacher Alfred, Decock Arnaud, Wellmann Henning, Kayser Hartmut.   Chimia   (2003), 57(11), 710-714.

21.     Applications of parallel synthesis to lead   optimization. Altorfer Michael, Ermert, Philipp, Faessler Juerg, Farooq   Saleem, Hillesheim Elke, Jeanguenat Andre, Klumpp Klaus, Maienfisch Peter,   Martin Joseph A., Merrett John H., et al. Chimia (2003), 57(5), 262-269.

22.   4-Nitroimino-1,3,5-oxadiazinanes:   a new type of neonicotinoid insecticides. Maienfisch   P., Rindlisbacher A., Huerlimann H., Haettenschwiler   J., Desai A. K., Ekkundi V. S., Gangan V. D. ACS Symposium Series (2002), 800   (Synthesis and Chemistry of Agrochemicals VI), 219-230.

23.     Chemistry and biology of thiamethoxam: a   second generation neonicotinoids. Maienfisch   Peter, Angst Max, Brandl Franz, Fischer Willi, Hofer   Dieter, Kayser Hartmut, Kobel Werner, Rindlisbacher Alfred, Senn Robert,   Steinemann Adrian, et al. Pest Management Science (2001), 57(10),   906-913.

24.     The discovery of thiamethoxam: a   second-generation neonicotinoids. Maienfisch   Peter, Huerlimann Hanspeter, Rindlisbacher Alfred, Gsell   Laurenz, Dettwiler Hansruedi,    Haettenschwiler Joerg, Sieger Evelyne, Walti Markus. Pest Management   Science (2001), 57(2), 165-176.

25.   Synthesis   and structure-activity relationships of benzophenone hydrazone derivatives   with insecticidal activity. Boger Manfred, Durr   Dieter, Gsell Laurenz, Hall Roger G., Karrer Friedrich, Kristiansen Odd,  Maienfisch Peter, Pascual Alfons,   Rindlisbacher Alfred. Pest Management Science (2001), 57(2), 191-202.

26.     5-Azidoimidacloprid and an Acyclic analog as   Candidate Photoaffinity Probes for Mammalian and Insect Nicotinic   Acetylcholine Receptors. Kagabu Shinzo, Maienfisch Peter, Zhang Aiguo,   Granda-Minones Joaquin, Haettenschwiler Joerg, Kayser Hartmut, Maetzke   Thomas, Casida John E. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2000), 43(26),   5003-5009.

27.     A novel method for the preparation of   N,N'-disubstituted N''-nitroguanidines, including a practical synthesis of   the neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin. Maienfisch, P., Huerlimann   H., Haettenschwiler J. Tetrahedron Letters (2000), 41(37), 7187-7191.

28.     Insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor:   conserved neonicotinoid specificity of [3H]imidacloprid binding site. Zhan   Aiguo, Kayser Hartmut, Maienfisch Peter, Casida John E. Journal of   Neurochemistry (2000), 75(3), 1294-1303.

29.     CGA 293'343: a novel, broad-spectrum   neonicotinoid insecticide. Maienfisch P., Brandl F., Kobel W.,   Rindlisbacher A., Senn R. In: Nicotinoid Insecticides and the Nicotinic   Acetylcholine Receptor, [Based on a Symposium on Nicotinoid Insecticides and   the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor], Las Vegas, Nev., Sept., 1997 (1999),   177-209.. Eds: Yamamoto Izuru, Casida John E.

30.     Synthetic approaches towards CGA 293'343: a   novel broad-spectrum insecticide. Gobel Thomas, Gsell Laurenz, Huter Ottmar   F., Maienfisch Peter, Naef Rudolf, O'Sullivan Anthony C., Pitterna   Thomas, Rapold Thomas, Seifert Gottfried, Senn Marcel, et al. Pesticide   Science (1999), 55(3), 355-357.

31.     Synthesis and insecticidal activity of CGA   293343 - a novel broad-spectrum insecticide. Maienfisch, Peter, Gsell   Laurenz, Rindlisbacher Alfred. Pesticide Science (1999), 55(3), 351-355.

32.     Synthesis and insecticidal evaluation of   imidacloprid analogs. Boelle Jerome,   Schneider Raphael, Gerardin Philippe, Loubinoux Bernard, Maienfisch Peter,   Rindlisbacher Alfred. Pesticide Science (1998), 54(3), 304-307.

33.     CGA 293343: a novel broad-spectrum   insecticide supporting sustainable agriculture worldwide. Senn R., Hofer D.,   Hoppe T., Angst M., Wyss P., Brandl F., Maienfisch P., Zang L., White   S. In: Brighton Crop Protection Conference--Pests and Diseases (1998), (vol.   1), 27-36.

34.     Diastereoselective microbial hydroxylation of   milbemycin derivatives. Ramos Tombo Gerardo M., Ghisalba Oreste, Schaer Hans   Peter, Frei Bruno, Maienfisch Peter, O'Sullivan Anthony C.   Agricultural and Biological Chemistry (1989), 53(6), 1531-5.

35.     The convergent synthesis of polyether   ionophore antibiotics: the synthesis of the A ring carbamonensin spiro ether.   Ireland Robert E., Maienfisch Peter. Journal of Organic Chemistry   (1988), 53(3), 640-51.

36.     Asymmetric induction by enantiotopically   differentiating retro-Claisen reaction of prochiral bicyclic beta-diketones.   Duthaler Rudolf O., Maienfisch Peter. Helvetica Chimica Acta (1984),   67(3), 845-55.

37.   Synthesis   of optically pure compounds by enantiotopically differentiating   monoacetalization of prochiral diketones. Duthaler Rudolf O., Maienfisch   Peter. Helvetica Chimica Acta (1982), 65(3), 635-53.