With 8 research partnerships in biocontrol, Amoeba confirms a new development phase

AMOEBA (FR0011051598 - AMEBA), producer of a biological biocide capable of eliminating the risk in water and human wounds, and of a biocontrol product for plant protection, still in the testing phase, unveils its strategic ambitions for its biocontrol activity and specifies the future key stages of its new development phase.

A new phase of large-scale multi-partner tests

The results published by Amoeba in July 2019, demonstrating the amoeba lysate efficacy against vine downy mildew, potato late blight and bean rust, have raised the interest of many players in the agrochemical and biosolutions industries, who have expressed the will to carry out their own in-house tests.

Thus, eight candidates have signed Material Transfer Agreements (MTA) with Amoéba. The purpose of these research partnerships for Amoéba consists in providing experimental products (in various formulations) containing the amoeba lysate Willaertia magna C2c Maky. In return, the eight agrochemical groups will finance and carry out their own field tests across Europe to assess the products performance in preventing diseases on different crops.

A data multiplication and a move forward on future steps to generate early revenues

At the end of this testing period, which runs from spring to early autumn 2020, the candidates will send Amoeba their results. If tests are successful, further negotiations should take place between Amoeba and the various stakeholders to define possible milestone payments and the basis for future business relations. Three or four partners should be selected to move to the next product development and commercialization phase.

An upgrade of the regulatory dossier by own and partnership tests

Amoeba will continue its own field tests in different market segments: specialty crops (vine, tomato, vegetable crops) and field crops (cereals, soybean, beet, potato). The targeted diseases (mildew, rust, septoria, fusarium and cercosporia) are among those that cause significant yield reductions for farmers.

This new evaluation phase for 2020, in the field or in climatic chambers, on its own or in partnership, carried out on 3 continents and 11 countries, will represent a total of more than 145 tests, among which 75 for the company. Results obtained will complete and enrich the regulatory dossier, which continues to be filed by Amoéba.

Amoéba arranges for obtaining the substance approval with the submission of the regulatory dossiers by the end of May in Europe and July in the United States. The partners will then take charge of the marketing authorizations (MA). The first marketing authorizations could be issued in 2022 in the United States and 2024 in Europe.

A validated financing and a continuation of activity despite the current sanitary crisis

The tests, carried out by Amoeba, are financed through the new OCA (convertible bond) issue contract with Nice & Green of €6.240 million. Intended to ensure the continuity of operations until August 2021, this financing gives to Amoeba the necessary means to continue its activity, particularly in terms of regulatory files (biocontrol and biocide) and R&D until the first commercial revenues.