Evogene and Marrone Bio Innovations Sign Multi-Year Collaborative Agreement

Joint Discovery Efforts to Lead to Novel Insect Control Solutions

28-Jul-2014 - Israel

Evogene Ltd. and Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. announced the signing of a multiyear collaborative agreement targeting the joint discovery of novel modes of biological action for insect control, followed by the development and commercialization of new insect control products by each of the companies.

The partnership will leverage the expertise and distinct assets and capabilities of each company in its respective field, namely MBI's expertise in microbial-based solutions for pest control and plant health, and Evogene’s computational gene discovery capabilities. Integrating these industry leading discovery capabilities, the companies will utilize the collaboration's joint assets to separately develop and commercialize products. Specifically, Evogene will develop biotechnology insect resistance seeds, while MBI will develop biologically-based insecticides. The parties have agreed on revenue sharing from all insect control products developed through the collaboration.

The target insects for the collaboration will be Lygus Hesperus, a sucking insect also known as the Western tarnished plant bug; and Spodoptera exigua, a chewing insect commonly known as Beet Armyworm, each of which currently causes significant damage to a variety of major crops.

The world-wide damage to crop production due to insects, currently estimated at 20% of global yield, is expected to become an even greater problem in coming years. Among the trends underlying this concern is the fact that the most prominent bio-insecticides and all biotechnology insect resistant seeds solutions available today consist of 'modes-of-action' derived from a single microbial species (Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt). These Bt-based solutions are not able to effectively control all types of insects damaging agriculture crops. And for those insects where Bt has been effective, the development of resistance is increasing. In light of this need, the parties will leverage their combined discovery capabilities to identify new 'modes-of-action' for insect control, focusing on other microbial species.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/149268/evogene-and-marrone-bio-innovations-sign-multi-year-collaborative-agreement.html