DAVIS, Calif., Aug. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI) (NASDAQ: MBII), a leading global provider of bio-based pest management products for the agricultural and water treatment markets, announced today the issuance of a patent by the United States Patent & Trademark Office for thaxtomin, the active ingredient in a new bioherbicide being planned for market introduction. Thaxtomin joins sarmentine, which received a patent in June 2013, as two of the company's herbicidal active ingredients currently in late stage development.
The patent covers thaxtomin as a pre- and post-emergent herbicide active against most common weeds in cereal (e.g., corn, wheat, rice, or sorghum), turf grass and pasture grass systems. As a natural, non-toxic compound, thaxtomin can be used for control of grass, broadleaf and sedge weeds in the agricultural (conventional and organic), golf course, residential and commercial turf, and consumer home and garden markets. Dr. Phyllis Himmel, VP of Research and Development, commented, "We are very excited about the broad activity of thaxtomin, either alone or in a synergistic tank mix. With two herbicide active ingredients now patented we are optimistic that MBI will be able to fill the gaps in the underserved bioherbicide product category."
Dr. Alison Stewart, Chief Science Officer, adds "Receiving two patents within two months is a clear result of MBI's two-pronged development strategy of proprietary discovery and in-licensed technologies. Sarmentine, our first bioherbicide active ingredient patented in June, was a MBI in-house discovery while thaxtomin is an in-licensed compound."
About Marrone Bio Innovations
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBII) is a leading provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products for the agriculture, turf and ornamental and water treatment markets. Our effective and environmentally responsible biopesticides help customers around the world operate more sustainably while controlling pests, improving plant health, and increasing crop yields. We have a rapid proprietary discovery and development platform and a robust pipeline of pest management and plant health technologies. At Marrone Bio Innovations we are dedicated to pioneering better biopesticides that support a better tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.marronebio.com.
Media contact:
Rich Fedigan, Marrone Bio Innovations
530.750.2800
rfedigan@marronebio.com
Investor Contact:
The Blueshirt Group
David Niederman
+1-415-489-2189
ir@marronebio.com
SOURCE Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.
