MBI receives patent on herbicide active ingredient

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI) announces the issuance of a patent by the United States Patent & Trademark Office for sarmentine,  the active ingredient in its new bioherbicide, currently identified as MBI-011. Sarmentine is one of three herbicidal products that MBI has under development for commercialization.

The herbicidal activity of sarmentine was discovered by two MBI chemists. It was isolated from the extract of a pepper species (Piper longum L.), but also has been isolated from other Piper species. The MBI-011 technical grade active ingredient (“TGAI”) and “end product” formulations were submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency in December, 2012 for registration as a herbicide. The pending registration is for control of annual and perennial grass and broadleaf weeds in the agricultural, turf and ornamental, as well as consumer home and garden markets.

Dr. Alison Stewart, MBI’s Chief Science Officer, who has responsibility for overseeing the company’s patent strategy and portfolio, said, “The issuance of the sarmentine patent is a milestone for MBI. MBI has submitted over 180 patent applications from its library of 18,000 microorganisms and 350 plant extracts, as well as from in-licensed technology.