Davis, California, USA
September 14, 2010

Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) announces the submission of a new bioinsecticide to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This submission is the fourth new product to be submitted to the EPA by MBI since December 2008. Other products pending approval include an invasive mussel control product for waterways called Zequanox, a new microbial insecticide for control of sucking insects and beetle pests, and a new microbial herbicide for controlling weeds in turf, rice, and other grain crops.

The bioinsecticide recently submitted to the EPA is a novel strain of bacteria that MBI discovered in its screening process for natural products. It is highly active on pest caterpillars such as codling moth and armyworms, and certain sucking insects such as psyllids and spider mites. The company plans to submit the registration package to Canada’s PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Authority) as well.

“This submission validates our R&D model and mission at MBI,” said Dr. Marja Koivunen, MBI’s VP of Discovery, who led the team that discovered and developed this new  microbial pesticide. “We have proven that our screen can find novel, naturally occurring microorganisms and that we can quickly develop them into commercial products that solve
pest management problems.”

“The new insecticide is the perfect complement to our other insecticide awaiting approval at the EPA,” states Pam Marrone, CEO and Founder of Marrone Bio Innovations. “The two
together will provide growers with control of the full spectrum of pest insects. There have been few effective microbial insecticides since Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and our new
products represent the next generation of effective microbial insecticides.”

Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) discovers, develops and markets effective and environmentally responsible products that fill unmet needs for weed, plant disease, and invasive pest management. Through a combination of inlicensed technology and its own R&D, MBI uses plants and naturally occurring microorganisms from unique habitats to develop better and safer pest management products. The company has an impressive pipeline of new products coming, including two insecticides, two herbicides, and Zequanox™ for controlling invasive zebra and quagga mussels in waterways (EPA pending). MBI currently markets GreenMatch® burndown herbicide for weed control in organic crop production, and Regalia® for control of fungal and bacterial diseases of both food and ornamental crops in conventional and organic production.

Website: http://marronebioinnovations.com/

Published: September 14, 2010