Marrone Bio Innovations Submits Novel Biofungicide to EPA for Regulatory Review

DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 09, 2016 -- Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI), (NASDAQ:MBII) today announced that it has submitted a new biological fungicide (MBI-110) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The broad spectrum product, MBI-110 is especially notable for its activity on downy mildews and white molds, as shown in two years of field trials in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Growers have few choices of products that perform well on the group of fungi that cause downy mildew on grapes, potatoes, leafy greens and other crops.  MBI-110 is the result of MBI’s directed screening discovery program to find a solution that addresses this specific market need. This product is also complementary to the diseases covered by Marrone Bio Innovations' first biofungicide, REGALIA^®.

“We knew that new solutions for downy mildew were badly needed, so our team of scientists set out to find one,” said Dr. Pam Marrone, Founder and CEO of Marrone Bio Innovations. “Our screening platform tested more than 16,000 microbes against important plant pathogens and discovered this novel candidate with a broad spectrum of performance and stand-out activity against downy mildews.” 
                                                           
The active ingredient in MBI-110 is a new strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, a bacterium isolated by Marrone Bio Innovation scientists from a soil sample in the United States.  While this type of Bacillus is common in soil and other products contain the same species, MBI’s discovery is unique in its performance on downy mildews, white molds and Botrytis gray mold. The company has an issued patent on the novel strain in MBI-110.   

Tests conducted at Marrone Bio Innovations’ research and development lab show that MBI-110 works by colonizing plant root hairs, leaves and other plant surfaces thereby preventing establishment of fungal and bacterial pathogens, including Sclerotinia, Macrophomina, Eutypa, Botrytis, Rhizoctonia, and Sclerotium.  Additional laboratory tests indicate that the bacterium also produces natural compounds, some of which inhibit bacterial and fungal mycelial growth, as well as spore germination. Subsequent field studies validated good results against downy mildew and black rot on grapes and cucurbits, pink rot and late blight on potatoes, Cercospora leaf spot on sugar beets, and white mold on soybean, sunflower, beans, lettuce and canola.

About Marrone Bio Innovations

Smart. Natural. Solutions.

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ:MBII) aims to lead the movement to a more sustainable world through the discovery, development and promotion of biological products for pest management and plant health. Our effective and environmentally responsible solutions help customers operate more sustainably while controlling pests, improving plant health, and increasing crop yields. We have four products for agriculture on the market, a proprietary discovery process, a rapid development platform, and a robust pipeline of pest management and plant health product candidates. At Marrone Bio Innovations we are dedicated to pioneering better biopesticides that support a better tomorrow for users around the globe. For more information, please visit www.marronebio.com.

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