MBI and Brookhaven National Laboratory sign license agreement for plant health active ingredient

The US biopesticide compamy Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI) recently announced it has secured an exclusive field of use license for the patent properties covering various uses of a plant endophyte from Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC., (BSA) manager/operator of Brookhaven National Laboratory under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy. MBI will use a naturally occurring endophyte in the development of products involving plant health. The agreement grants MBI exclusive commercial development and marketing rights to horticultural uses of the endophyte in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and member states of the European Patent Organization.

The licensed patent properties are directed to promoting increased yield and in providing drought tolerance in crops. MBI has been actively developing plant health products with several active ingredients that promote plant growth by reducing plant water loss, allowing crops to thrive better in sun-stressed environments. The products based on this technology and active ingredient are expected to be the first of their kind on the market.

Dr. Pam Marrone, CEO of MBI, commented, "This is a great addition to other technologies we have licensed relating to plant health and drought resistance. This active ingredient is a very good fit with our proven abilities to take an in-licensed plant health technology from early development to full commercialization. We expect to introduce several plant health products in the near future that will join our existing Regalia Rx product in helping growers maximize the health and yield potential of their crops."

Marrone Bio Innovations sees great market potential in the plant health market segment. Dr. Alison Stewart, Sr. Vice President and Chief Technical Officer explains, "A product that helps reduce plants' need for water, while maintaining or even increasing quality and yield, will be a significant contribution to overcoming future water management challenges that are a growing challenge in all areas of the world. We are excited about the opportunity to develop commercial products to address these needs. This agreement with Brookhaven National Laboratory is just the latest step in our strategy to expand our product portfolio beyond biopesticides."

According to Connie M. Cleary, DPM, CLP, Manager of Brookhaven National Laboratory's Office of Technology Commercialization and Partnerships: "Brookhaven Science Associates and Brookhaven National Laboratory are very pleased that the License Agreement with MBI will enable MBI to develop this important technology so that it may have significant impact on utilization of US and the world's resources. Such License Agreements are instrumental in our being able to fulfill the Technology Transfer mission of the United States Department of Energy."