MBII Marrone Bio Innovations Inc

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ:MBII) (MBI), a leading provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products for agriculture, turf and ornamental and water treatment markets, announces the availability of the biological fungicide, Amplitude™ for the 2018 growing season.  This product uses the same active ingredient in the recently announced EPA approval of Stargus™.

Amplitude is based on a new strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens discovered by MBI, with strong performance against white molds and soil diseases such as Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia (pink rot and black scurf of potatoes), and Fusarium as shown in field trials in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Growers have few choices of active ingredients that perform well on the group of fungi that cause white molds in row crops like soybeans, canola, pulses, dry beans, bulb vegetables and sunflower. AmplitudeTM is the result of MBI’s directed screening discovery program to find a solution that addresses such a specific market need. This product is also complementary and additive to the broad spectrum of diseases covered by MBI’s first biofungicide, Regalia® Rx , providing a solid one-two punch to controlling white molds and soil diseases in row crops. MBI is also testing this Bacillus-based product for seed treatment applications with key strategic partners.

“We are pleased to provide row crop growers with another tool to control white molds and soil diseases on a broad range of large acre crops and tuber and root crops, which have developed a resistance to conventional products. The high level of performance of Amplitude means it can be used alone, or in conjunction with a conventional fungicide to enhance control, build a solid resistance management program and get better ROI overall,” said Andre Trepanier, MBI’s Director of Marketing.

MBI’s unique natural product chemistry approach to product performance is supported by R&D work that demonstrates the bacterium produces natural compounds, some of which inhibit bacterial and fungal growth, as well as spore germination.  Tests conducted at MBI’s research and development lab show that Amplitude® works by colonizing plant root hairs, stems and other plant surfaces to prevent establishment of fungal and bacterial pathogens, including Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Rhizoctonia, Verticillium, Phytophthora and Sclerotium.  Furthermore, the bacteria trigger systemic acquired resistance and induced systemic responses in the plant, creating a healthier and stronger plant that wards off diseases, increases growth and improves yield.  MBI has been issued a patent on the novel strain used in AmplitudeTM.

Field studies have shown good efficacy against Cercospora leaf spot on sugar beets, and white mold on soybean, sunflower, beans, and canola, and soil applications on potatoes for control of Rhizoctonia (Black scurf) and Phytophthora eurythroseptica (pink rot). Successful field trials have been conducted in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe.                                                       The biofungicide product has been submitted to Canada and Mexico for approval and the dossier is being prepared for Europe. White mold (also called Sclerotinia stem rot) is a significant problem in the North Central soybean production region of the US and in Canada. This disease varies in incidence and severity from year to year because of its sensitivity to weather. White mold can substantially reduce yield, especially when climate and management practices favor high yield potential. According to the Crop Protection Network, for every 10 percent increase in the incidence of white mold observed in a field at the R7 soybean growth stage (beginning maturity), yield is reduced by two to five bushels per acre.  Canada and Europe grow 10.4 and 11.6 million hectares of canola (oilseed rape) where white mold is the most serious disease. 

Amplitude is already available in most states with a few states remaining to be approved. More information is available on the MBI website at https://marronebioinnovations.com/ag-products/brand/amplitude/.

About Marrone Bio Innovations

Smart. Natural. Solutions.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® Stargus™, Amplitude™, Zelto® and Zequanox®. MBI also distributes 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 Amplitude in the market, market projections, including the potential benefits of Amplitude, and MBI’s plans for expanding additional label uses and international expansion. 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 inside and outside the United States, 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 FounderAndre Trepanier, Director of MarketingTelephone: +1 (530) 750-2800Email: Info@marronebio.com

MBI Investor Relations:Greg FalesnikManaging DirectorMZ Group – MZ North AmericaMain: 949-385-6449 MBII@mzgroup.us         www.mzgroup.us         

MBI External Public Relations:Bryan Spevak Account Director   anthonyBarnum Public Relations Office: 512-387-3703 bryan.spevak@anthonybarnum.com