Marrone Bio Innovations Receives Grant Awards from the National Science Foundation

DAVIS, Calif., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI) a $500,000 Phase IIb Small Business Technology Commercialization Grant for the project entitled "Commercialization of an Innovative Green Technology for Controlling Zebra Mussels" and $100,000 supplemental Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships.

The technology was originally discovered by Dr. Daniel Molloy, Director of the New York State Museum's Field Research Laboratory. MBI was awarded a Phase II commercialization grant  of $500,000 in March 2008. These two additional grant awards will further aid MBI in commercializing Zequanox®, a natural product for controlling invasive zebra and quagga mussels.

The damage caused by zebra mussels and their close relatives, quagga mussels, represents billions of dollars in cost to the North American economy and results in a major negative impact on freshwater ecosystems. These tiny, fingernail-sized mussels foul the aquatic environment while clogging the intake pipes of industries that draw water from infested lakes and rivers. Although populations have been widespread in the Great Lakes region and midwest for almost two decades, these mussels were only found for the first time west of the Rockies in the last two years, specifically in regions of Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and California.

"We are so pleased the NSF is continuing its support as we enter the final stretch in readying Zequanox for market," said Dr Pam Marrone, Ph.D., MBI's Founder and CEO.  "This effective natural product is a measurable advancement in human and environmental safety over the use of chlorine and other toxic biocides for controlling zebra and quagga mussels."

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program stimulates technological innovation in the private sector by strengthening the role of small business concerns in meeting Federal research and development needs. TECP supplements to SBIR/STTR grantees are intended to pave the way for successful commercial partnerships between strategic corporate partners, investors and grantees.

MBI will use the NSF awards and its own resources to complete their work to commercialize Zequanox. MBI anticipates USEPA regulatory approval early 2011.

About Marrone Bio Innovations:

Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) discovers, develops and markets effective and environmentally responsible products that fill unmet needs for weed, plant disease, and invasive pest management. Through a combination of in-licensed technology and its own R&D, MBI uses plants and naturally occurring microorganisms from unique habitats to develop better and safer pest management products. The company has an impressive pipeline of new products coming, including two insecticides, two herbicides, and Zequanox™ for controlling invasive zebra and quagga mussels in waterways (EPA pending). MBI currently markets GreenMatch® burndown herbicide for weed control in organic crop production, and Regalia® for control of fungal and bacterial diseases of both food and ornamental crops in conventional and organic production. For more information, email [email protected], call 1-877-664-4476 or visit www.marronebioinnovations.com .

SOURCE Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.