DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI) (Nasdaq:MBII), a leading global provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products, announced today that the Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre (REABIC) has published research from a study of Zequanox®, a naturally derived biopesticide for controlling zebra mussel infestations in the journal Management of Biological Invasions.
The results of the study, published by REABIC on December 18, 2014, indicate that Zequanox is highly effective for controlling zebra mussels in shallow-water habitats in lakes without significant long-term effects on water quality.
Funded in part by grant money from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the study was part of an effort to identify viable alternatives for treatment and control of invasive freshwater mussels in open water systems, such as lakes and reservoirs. This study, a collaborative effort between Southern Illinois University, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and Marrone Bio Innovations, evaluated the results of applying Zequanox in Deep Quarry Lake, an infested lake in Illinois, during the summers of 2012 and 2013.
“We are very pleased with the results of this study and would like to thank our partners in this important research,” said Pam Marrone, CEO of Marrone Bio Innovations. “The results of this study confirm that Zequanox is a fully viable option for mitigating the significant economic and ecological damage caused by zebra and quagga mussels in areas they have infested, without harming water quality, the environment or people administering the treatment.”
“Until now, there were few viable alternatives for treatment of invasive mussels in lakes and reservoirs,” said Dr. Gregory Whitledge of Southern Illinois University (SIU). “This study is very promising and suggests that Zequanox can play a significant role in preventing these destructive invaders from causing additional ecological and economic damage to areas they have infested.”
Zequanox, the industry’s only selective and environmentally compatible molluscicide, was first approved by the EPA in 2012 for mussel control in enclosed systems and infrastructures for energy producers, manufacturing companies and golf courses, and approved again in July 2014 for open water use.
To conduct the study, researchers applied Zequanox to treatment plots across the lake, contained the product using PVC barrier curtains, and then removed the barriers during the morning following application. Results indicated that Zequanox was highly effective at killing zebra mussels in shoreline and near shore locations in Deep Quarry Lake, with >90% mortality observed within 1–2 weeks of product treatment for mussels attached to substrate and within three hours of the start of Zequanox treatment for veligers.
The full REABIC evaluation of Zequanox® can be found here.
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 solutions help customers operate more sustainably while controlling pests, improving plant health, and increasing crop yields. We have a proprietary discovery process, a rapid development platform, and a robust pipeline of pest management and plant health product candidates. At Marrone Bio Innovations we are dedicated to pioneering better biopesticides that support a better tomorrow for users around the globe. For more information, please visit www.marronebio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Portions of this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements,” and assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”), Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any such forward-looking statements are made within the “safe-harbor” protections of the PSLRA, should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we are under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any responsibility to, update or alter these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this filing include those regarding: the anticipated filing date of the Company’s Form 10-Q and the Company’s expectations regarding regaining full compliance with NASDAQ continued listing requirements. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Such risks include the uncertainty surrounding the timing and results of the Audit Committee’s independent investigation of accounting matters, the potential need for restatement of our prior period financial statements, how promptly the investigation of accounting matters can be completed and any results thereof can be resolved, and potential legal or regulatory action related to the matters under investigation. In addition, the Company faces other risks and uncertainties that could affect its ability to complete the filing of its Form 10-Q and to regain compliance with the NASDAQ listing requirements. Additional information that could lead to material changes in our performance is contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Cory Ziskind ICR 646-277-1232 Cory.Ziskind@icrinc.com
Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.
