Andermatt，Certis enter into granulovirus insecticides developing agreement

Andermatt Biocontrol AG (Andermatt), a leader in the research and development of granulovirus technology, and Certis USA, a leading biopesticide company, have entered into an agreement to develop and market new granulovirus insecticides for the NAFTA region. The companies will collaborate on the development of new generations of granulovirus products targeted for fruit production that are substantially more potent and offer broader spectrums of control than current products on the market. The new insecticides will launch between 2012 and 2014.

"The Certis product, CYD-X, set the standard for granulovirus insecticides when it was introduced in 2003. It has become an integral insecticide that allows U.S. apple, pear and walnut producers to practice integrated pest management," said Tim Damico, Certis USA Executive Vice President of NAFTA. "We are excited to work with Andermatt to develop more of this important class of insecticides. Like CYD-X, the new generation of products will be residue-free, IPM-friendly and a resistance management tool. Primarily used in pome fruit today, our new granulovirus products will expand pest control options for peaches, nectarines and other stone fruits."

Daniel Zingg, Managing Director of Andermatt, added, "Certis USA has been the market leader in insecticidal virus products in the U.S. and is naturally our preferred choice of partner to develop the new generation of technologies which will permit the expansion into new markets and geographies within the NAFTA region."

Based in Grossdietwil, Switzerland, Andermatt Biocontrol AG has been producing baculovirus products since 1988, including at least eight baculovirus products available under the trademarked names: MADEX (CpGV), MADEX Plus (CpGV), MADEX MAX (CpGV), CAPEX (AoGV), CRYPTEX (CrleGV), HELICOVEX (HearNPV), SPEXIT (SeMNPV) and LITTOVIR (SpliNPV). Learn more at Headquartered in Columbia, MD, Certis USA is a leading manufacturer and distributor of biopesticides and crop protection products for specialty agricultural and horticultural markets (Certisusa.com">www.Certisusa.com). Certis USA product brands include its granulovirus products CYD-X codling moth virus, Gemstar corn earworm virus, and Spod-X beet armyworm virus; as well as Agree, Crymax, Deliver and Javelin Bt bioinsecticides; Azatin, Neemazad and Neemix botanical insect growth regulators; Trilogy botanical fungicide/miticide; SoilGard microbial fungicide; MeloCon bionematicide; Basamid granular soil fumigant; SCREEN Duo Heat Stress Management for Plants; DES-X insecticidal soap concentrate; Cueva liquid copper fungicide concentrate; Seduce insecticidal bait and Sluggo slug and snail bait (Eastern markets only).