AMOÉBA PARTNERS SYNGENTA TO DEVELOP, COMMERCIALISE BIOCONTROL SOLUTIONS FOR EU, UK MARKETS 

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- French greentech firm Amoéba SA is accelerating the commercialisation of its amoeba-derived bio-fungicide through a new collaboration with Syngenta Crop Protection, marking a major step toward introducing its next-generation biocontrol solutions in the European Union and United Kingdom.

The biological innovation, developed from the lysate of the amoeba Willaertia magna C2c Maky, has demonstrated strong efficacy in trials against major fungal diseases affecting wheat and cereal crops, while also activating natural plant defences. Amoéba said the advancement reflects growing demand for modern, sustainable crop protection tools.

Amoéba and Syngenta have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and commercialise the amoeba-based technology for cereals and field crops, with both parties targeting a definitive distribution agreement by spring 2026, according to a statement.

Amoéba Chairman of the Board, Benoit Villers, and Chief Executive Officer, Jean-François Doucet said the collaboration is a major step forward for Amoéba, adding that it provides an opportunity to combine the company’s scientific expertise with Syngenta’s leadership in cereal protection and biocontrol marketing.

“This agreement should lead to distribution and development partnerships between our two companies. It illustrates how collaboration between innovators can make a difference for farmers while paving the way for broader applications in field crops,” they said.

Meanwhile, Syngenta Head of Seedcare and Biologicals for Europe, Matthew Pickard said the company aimed to deliver biological solutions at the cutting edge of science and sees strong potential in nature-inspired technologies such as Amoéba’s.

The initial phase of the partnership will target septoria tritici blotch (STB) and yellow rust, two of Europe’s most economically damaging wheat diseases. Together, they affect an estimated nine to 12 million hectares annually, with STB alone causing losses of between five per cent and 50 per cent in Germany and costing up to 1.5 billion euros a year. (1 euro = RM4.81)

The partnership with Syngenta positions its technology for broader market access while supporting farmers seeking sustainable alternatives amid rising resistance and a shrinking portfolio of conventional crop protection options.

Founded in 2010, Amoéba has developed a patented biocontrol platform based on Willaertia magna lysate, which received the Bernard Blum Gold Medal in October 2025 as the most promising biocontrol solution globally.

-- BERNAMA