Startup brand Mimikai has launched a new DEET-free insect and tick repellent using a plant-derived compound developed at North Carolina State University. The product, approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2023, is now available online.
The active ingredient is based on research by Professor Michael Roe at NC State, who identified insect-repelling properties in wild tomato plants. Roe's work led to the development of a new compound that repels mosquitoes and ticks without the use of conventional chemicals like DEET.
California-based Mimikai licensed the compound from the university to bring a natural repellent to market. Unlike many insect repellents designed for outdoor or utility use, Mimikai is targeting everyday consumers, including families and children, with a skin-friendly formulation.
Founded in 2017, the company secured early funding from NC State’s Daugherty Endowment and the Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN), helping it navigate the regulatory approval process. Mimikai has raised over $5.5 million to date.
The EPA approval marked the first time in 25 years that a new active ingredient for an insect repellent had been cleared for use in the U.S. Mimikai’s products became commercially available in May via its website and Amazon.
The launch adds to a series of real-world applications stemming from Roe’s academic work, which has also contributed to bed nets, bite-resistant clothing and other chemical-free pest control technologies.
Mimikai launches DEET-free repellent based on NC State research
