CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and PETACH TIKVAH, Israel, July 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Manus Bio Inc. (Manus Bio), a leader in the production of complex natural products through advanced bio-fermentation, and STK Bio-Ag Technologies (STK), an innovator of botanical and ‘hybrid’ crop protection solutions, are announcing a collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize a series of natural plant-based active ingredients as new and highly-efficacious biopesticide products.

The first active ingredient in development by the collaboration has demonstrated potent efficacy for insect control across multiple classes of pests that commonly impact fruit, vegetable, and row crops. As this active ingredient is of low abundance in nature, a major challenge has been to produce at the scale and economics required for deployment as a commercial crop protection solution. Manus Bio is using its advanced bio-fermentation platform and industrial manufacturing capabilities to develop a robust production process to supply this and other ingredients at the volumes and costs required to enable widespread use as biopesticides. STK will apply its unique expertise in advanced plant science and bio-ag solutions to enable the development and commercialization of these new cutting-edge botanical - based solutions worldwide.

Dr. Ajikumar Parayil, Chief Executive Officer of Manus Bio commented, “We were attracted to STK because of their track record of successfully developing sustainable natural products for agricultural applications, which is an excellent fit for our high-performing microbial natural products chassis and the extensive manufacturing capacity in our Augusta, GA facility. We are excited to work together with STK to address the growing demand for powerful bio-actives for sustainable agricultural applications.”

“Manus has proven capabilities in the large-scale production of complex natural ingredients. We are thrilled to be working with Manus Bio to bring this innovative active to become the basis for a family of new solutions for the benefit of farmers dealing with the growing need for sustainable farming,” said Arye Tenenbaum, CEO of STK. “We believe that this novel active ingredient will help us realize a paradigm shift in sustainable food protection towards healthier, high quality, residue-free food.”

Manus Bio will be the exclusive supplier to STK for this first key ingredient as they work together to commercialize this proprietary and patented STK product.

About Manus BioManus Bio leverages rapid advances in Biology to produce complex natural ingredients used in our daily lives as flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, cosmetics, vitamins, pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. Using its advanced fermentation technology, Manus Bio recreates natural processes for next-generation industrial biomanufacturing and provides sustainable and cost-effective sources of ingredients for health, wellness, and nutrition. To learn more, visit www.manusbio.com.

About STK Bio-Ag TechnologiesFounded in 1994, STK is a bio-ag technology company, committed to protect crops while meeting the highest sustainability standards. Our breakthrough, botanical crop protection solutions – a synergy of cutting-edge scientific research and technology – enhance the safety, yield and quality of multiple crops. STK helps growers to deliver cleaner and healthier products to market. Our organic and hybrid protection solutions are easily integrated into conventional spraying programs, helping to advance the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach. STK biological solutions help growers in nearly 40 countries to adhere to regulatory standards and support the transition to sustainable agriculture. To learn more, visit www.stk-ag.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6066fbea-e35d-4e28-8804-0aa0c4cf7bbcSource: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/07/28/2068793/0/en/Manus-Bio-and-STK-Bio-Ag-Technologies-announce-partnership-to-develop-and-commercialize-pipeline-of-next-generation-biopesticides.html