Marrone Organic Innovations, Instituto Biomar and DuPont Crop Protection Sign Natural Products Development Agreement
Marrone to Develop Sustainable Biopesticides
WILMINGTON, Del. and DAVIS, Calif., June 18, 2007 – DuPont Crop Protection and Marrone Organic Innovations, Inc. (MOI) have signed an agreement to provide MOI with exclusive access to natural product discoveries from DuPont for development as biopesticide products.
The agreement provides MOI with a portfolio of product candidates discovered by DuPont during screening of microorganisms through their collaboration with Instituto Biomar, SA.
“Having access to natural product discoveries from DuPont will allow MOI to commercialize products very quickly and complements the efforts of our own R&D,” said Dr. Pam Marrone, MOI founder and CEO.
“This agreement is another example of our commitment to provide sustainable solutions to the marketplace,” said James C. Collins, vice president and general manager – DuPont Crop Protection. “We believe that MOI has the experience and success to take these natural product discoveries and bring them to market as successful, environmentally responsible biopesticide solutions.”
According to Biomar General Manager and CEO Antonio Fernandez, microorganisms, plants and marine organisms are good sources of novel chemistry that can be developed into drugs, crop protection products, enzymes and other industrial products. “While agrichemical companies routinely use natural products as lead sources to develop synthetic chemical products, occasionally the chemistry is too complex to develop,” he said. “These often make good candidates for biopesticides.”
Marrone Organic Innovations discovers, develops and markets effective and environmentally responsible products for weed, disease and pest management. Through a combination of in-licensed technology and its own R&D, MOI develops products that target markets needing better and safer solutions. MOI’s own R&D finds naturally occurring microorganisms from unique habitats and develops them into products for controlling insects, weeds, nematodes and plant diseases.
Instituto Biomar, Spain, discovers and develops new bioactive compounds from marine microorganisms. (www.institutobiomar.com).
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
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6/18/07
