Marrone Bio Innovations Receives EPA Approval for Broad-spectrum Bioherbicide

DAVIS, Calif., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI), a leading global provider of natural pest management products for the agricultural and water treatment markets, announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved MBI-005, a unique broad-spectrum selective bioherbicide for potential use on a variety of crops, turf and ornamentals. This is the fourth active ingredient that MBI has registered with the EPA.

"We are currently optimizing MBI-005 for a broad range of commercial opportunities in crops, turf, and consumer lawn markets," said MBI Vice President of Biological Research Phyllis Himmel, PhD. "We are particularly excited about the broad-spectrum pre-emergence activity, killing weeds before they inflict costly damage to crops and lawns."

MBI-005 is a natural product compound produced by a Streptomyces species that kills weeds by halting cellular biosynthesis and division. Field tests have shown that when mixed with leading chemical herbicides, MBI-005 increases their effectiveness, which would allow growers and turf managers to use fewer chemicals and deliver better weed control. Additionally, MBI-005 has shown broad-spectrum pre-emergence activity, killing weeds in the soil as they germinate, as well as selective post-emergence activity on broadleaves and sedges in turf and crops such as wheat, corn and rice. MBI-005 is non-toxic to non-target organisms such as birds, fish and bees.

"This approval is a testament to the skill and expertise of MBI's research and development team, which for the fourth time has secured EPA approval of an active ingredient for commercial development," said MBI CEO Pam Marrone. "MBI is rapidly developing a broad pipeline of environmentally responsible and effective natural pest management products that can be incorporated into integrated pest management programs."

About Marrone Bio Innovations
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. is a leading global provider of natural pest management products for the agricultural and water treatment markets. Its effective and environmentally friendly natural agricultural products provide higher yields and quality while managing pesticide resistance and residues. Through its proprietary discovery and development process and strategically in-licensed technologies, MBI has developed a pipeline of advanced and early-stage products for the significant agricultural and water treatment markets. MBI's award-winning products for the agricultural market include the biofungicide Regalia®, and Grandevo™, a broad-spectrum bioinsecticide for controlling insects and mites. The company is working on commercializing the now registered bioherbicide, and has submitted another insecticide to the EPA. MBI is addressing the water treatment market with Zequanox®, the industry's first naturally derived product to selectively control zebra and quagga mussels. MBI currently has more than three dozen patents pending in the U.S. and globally.

SOURCE Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.