Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ:MBII) (MBI), a leading
provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products for
the agriculture, turf and ornamental and water treatment markets,
today announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution
agreement with Solenis, a global expert in water treatment and
process chemistries, to provide Zequanox® molluscicide treatment
programs for enclosed and semi-enclosed water systems in the United
States and Canada.
Zequanox molluscicide is a patented, naturally derived aquatic
biopesticide that effectively controls all life stages of invasive
zebra and quagga (dreissenid) mussels. The molluscicide is
manufactured by MBI, at the company’s plant in Michigan and, now
supplied exclusively by Solenis in the United States and Canada for
industrial water applications.
The cost for treating intake pipes, water filtration equipment,
and power plants’ operating costs for zebra mussel damages is
estimated at $3.1 billion dollars spent over 10 years.1
“Establishing this partnership with Solenis is a significant
milestone in the commercialization of Zequanox. With a direct sales
force of water-treatment experts servicing industrial facilities
and power generation plants throughout North America, Solenis
provides on-site technical service and expertise essential to
elevating the profile of Zequanox with major customers that must
contend with infrastructure and operational challenges caused by
zebra and quagga mussel infestations,” stated Dr. Pam Marrone,
Founder and CEO of MBI.
The active ingredient in Zequanox molluscicide is derived from
the dead cells of a specific strain of the naturally occurring
bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf). Pf is one of the most common
bacteria in the world and is present naturally in soil, in water
and on plants. Strains of Pf bacteria are regularly used in
production of medicines, enzymes and food. Zequanox is not
genetically modified.
“Over the past year, Solenis has worked closely with MBI to
evaluate Zequanox and to develop this collaboration. We are excited
to have gained a partner with a shared vision to bring effective,
innovative and sustainable products to the marketplace. As a
leader in servicing industrial water users, Solenis is pleased to
add Zequanox to our broad array of tools and services for our
customers,” added David Jellison, Vice President of Solenis’ North
America industrial water treatment business.
Extensive studies with Zequanox molluscicide have been conducted
on numerous aquatic and terrestrial species, with no indication of
any harmful effects when used as instructed. The molluscicide
is food tolerance exempt and deemed safe for use on food crops and
in drinking water in the United States.
Unlike other molluscicides, EPA has determined that Zequanox is
of negligible risk to humans, with minimal re-entry intervals and
personal protection equipment requirements. Zequanox is
non-corrosive to pipes and has no detrimental effects to water
quality.
Currently, Zequanox is registered in 37 states for both enclosed
system and open water uses where zebra and/or quagga mussels are
present, or where the threat of future infestation exists.
The product is also registered in California for enclosed and
semi-enclosed systems, with an open-water label amendment
pending.
In Canada, the product is currently approved for use in
hydroelectric power facilities. MBI recently submitted a
label amendment dossier to Health Canada that seeks to expand the
use of Zequanox for all mussel infested enclosed and semi-enclosed
infrastructure, including farm irrigation systems and all
industrial facilities using raw water.
1Zegers, R. E. (2008, June 24). (Nevada State Director, Southern
Nevada Water Authority). Retrieved March 15, 2016, from
http://www.westernais.org/media/economics/snwa.pdf
Facts About Zequanox
- Zequanox is composed of dead cells from a naturally occurring
strain of the bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf). Zebra and
quagga mussels perceive Zequanox as a non-threatening food source
and consume it readily, along with their normal diet. Once
ingested, Zequanox causes their digestive lining to deteriorate,
resulting in death.
- Mussel mortality begins within a couple of days after treatment
and continues for several weeks following exposure to the
product.
- Pf as a species have a long history of use in the production of
food and pharmaceuticals. It is a species commonly used in the
production of fermented food products, such as yogurt.
- The particular Pf strain used to make Zequanox was isolated
from river mud in New York state on a body of water that had
notably lower Zebra and quagga mussel populations when compared to
surrounding bodies of water.
- Funding for the initial research to discover Zequanox was
supported by the State of New York, the U.S. Department of Energy
and the National Science Foundation, with the goal of finding
dreissenid mussel controls that were of lower risk to humans, the
environment and water quality than products currently in use.
- Extensive research, both in the laboratory and the field, have
demonstrated Zequanox’s efficacy against invasive mussels, little
risk to non-target species—including native unionid mussels and
important game fish—and no lasting impacts to water quality.
- In collaboration with MBI, these studies have been completed by
a number of institutions including the U.S. Geological Survey, the
New York State Museum, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Missouri
State University and Southern Illinois University, as well as a
variety of independent laboratories, among others.
About Solenis
Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for
water intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, oil and gas,
chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal
markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of
process, functional and water treatment chemistries as well as
state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies
are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance
product quality, protect plant assets and minimize environmental
impact. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 37
manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and
employs a team of approximately 3,700 professionals in 118
countries across five continents. For additional information about
Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com.
About Marrone Bio Innovations
Bio With Bite. Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.
(NASDAQ:MBII) strives to lead the movement to a more sustainable
world through the discovery, development and promotion of
biological products for pest management and plant health. MBI’s
effective and environmentally responsible pest management solutions
help customers operate more sustainably while uniquely improving
plant health and increasing crop yields. MBI’s currently available
commercial products are Regalia®, Grandevo®, Venerate®, Majestene®,
Haven® StargusTM and AmplitudeTM, ZeltoTM and Zequanox®. MBI also
distributes Bio-tam 2.0® for Isagro USA and Jet-Ag® for Jet Harvest
in most regions of the U.S.
Marrone Bio Innovations is dedicated to pioneering smart
biopesticide solutions that support a better tomorrow for both
farmers, turf managers and consumers around the globe. For more
information, please visit www.marronebio.com.
Marrone Bio Innovations Forward Looking
StatementsThis 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 statements regarding the potential of
Zequanox and other MBI products in the US and Canada and other
markets, market projections, including the potential benefits of
Zequanox and MBI’s plans for expanding additional label uses. 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
consumer, 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.
Marrone Bio Innovations Contacts: Pam Marrone,
CEO and Founder Keith Pitts, Chief Sustainability Officer
Telephone: +1 (530) 750-2800 Email: Info@marronebio.com
MBI Investor Relations: Greg Falesnik Managing
Director MZ Group – MZ North America Main: 949-385-6449
MBII@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.us
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