Marrone Bio Innovations granted claims for MBI-110 bacterium, active ingredient in Amplitude™ and Stargus® biofungicides

DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ:MBII) (MBI), a leading developer of biological crop protection and plant health solutions, has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for claims covering MBI-110 bacterium as antifungal and growth promotion composition. 

MBI previously obtained a patent on the cell broth (which includes the cells, their byproducts and the media used in the fermentation). These additional claims that were allowed include the supernatant and cell fraction (the parts of the fermented bacterial culture containing some anti-fungal and plant health compounds). Together, these claims cover nearly all of the potential commercial embodiments.

MBI’s screening platform was directed at finding a solution to challenging diseases. As such, MBI tested more than 18,000 microbes against important plant pathogens and discovered the MBI-110 bacterium—also known as the Bacillus strain F727—a new strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens with a broad spectrum of performance and standout activity against downy mildews, white molds and Botrytis gray mold/bunch rots.

MBI-110 is the active ingredient in MBI’s newest two products, both advanced biofungicides: Amplitude™ is targeted towards white molds in potatoes and pulse crops (peas, beans and lentils), soybeans and more. It also controls pathogenic soil fungi, including diseases such as Sclerotinia, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia, as shown in field trials in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Stargus^® is focused on downy mildew, Botrytis gray mold and bunch rot in specialty crops such as grapes, as well as leafy greens. The products are proven to improve plant vigor and overall health.

“Growers were in dire need of a new solution for downy mildews, so our scientists set out to find one,” said Founder and CEO Pam Marrone. “Now, these allowed claims grant MBI the strongest possible protection of any and all parts of the MBI-110 microbe. It protects our Amplitude and Stargus products not only for use as a fungicide and to promote plant growth, but also the microbial broth with the bacteria, and anything produced by the microbe.”

MBI holds more than 400 issued and pending patents, and has brought six EPA-registered biological products and one biostimulant to market – more than any other agricultural inputs company in that time.  

More information on Amplitude and Stargus is available online at or by calling 877-664-4476.

About Marrone Bio Innovations

Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. (NASDAQ: MBII) strives to lead the movement to more a sustainable world through the discovery, development and sale of innovative biological products for crop protection, plant health and waterway systems treatment that support a better tomorrow for farmers, turf managers and consumers around the globe. MBI has screened over 18,000 microorganisms and 350 plant extracts, leveraging its in-depth knowledge of plant and soil microbiomes enhanced by advanced molecular technologies to rapidly develop seven effective and environmentally responsible pest management products to help customers operate more sustainably while uniquely improving plant health and increasing crop yields. Supported by a robust portfolio of over 400 issued and pending patents around its superior natural product chemistry, MBI’s currently available commercial products are Regalia^®, Stargus^®, Grandevo^®, Venerate^®, Majestene^®, Haven^® and Amplitude™, Zelto^® and Zequanox^®.

Learn more about Marrone Bio Innovations at . Follow us on social media: , and .

Marrone Bio Innovations Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding strategy, future operations and plans, including assumptions underlying such statements, are forward-looking statements, and should not be relied upon as representing MBI’s views as of any subsequent date. Examples of such statements include the potential of Stargus and Amplitude products and market projections. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements, including weather, regulatory and other factors affecting demand for the MBI’s products, any difficulty in marketing MBI’s products in its target markets, competition in the market for pest management products, lack of understanding of bio-based pest management products by customers and growers. Additional information that could lead to material changes in MBI’s performance is contained in its filings with the SEC. MBI is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any responsibility to, update or alter forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of current information, future events or otherwise.

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