MBI and Plant & Food Research Sign Research Agreement

Date:01-29-2014

The US biopesticide company Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) and The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited (Plant & Food Research) recently announced the signing of a collaborative research agreement.

The agreement covers a number of novel bio-active organisms and natural products which Plant & Food Research will provide to MBI for the expected development of biopesticides and plant health products. The MBI field of use includes conventional and organic agricultural uses, turf and ornamental, home and garden, and forestry.

Professor Alison Stewart, MBI Chief Technology Officer and Professor Emeritus with Lincoln University, New Zealand sees great potential in the agreement. "Having been involved in the New Zealand biopesticide industry for 25 years I am very familiar with the potential of the Institute's library of bio-actives. Now, I am optimistic that MBI's expertise and technology can drive these actives toward successful commercialization."

According to Dr. Gavin Ross, General Manager Business Development with Plant & Food Research, the agreement with MBI fits the strategy of his organization in ensuring innovation is advanced to market. "We have extensive experience in the discovery of new bio-active compounds, but we don't possess the capabilities at industrial scale for formulation, production and commercialization. In partnering with a company with an international reach, such as MBI, we can ensure that our scientific knowledge is translated into products that can be used by growers worldwide. This agreement allows our respective organizations to concentrate on their areas of expertise to realize the best possible outcomes."