15 October 2018
Eden Research plc
("Eden" or "Company")
Exclusive distribution agreement signed for Australia and New Zealand
Eden Research plc (AIM: EDEN), the AIM listed company that develops and supplies breakthrough biopesticide products and natural microencapsulation technologies to the global crop protection, animal health and consumer products industries, announces that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement ("Agreement") with Sipcam SpA ("Sipcam") for its fungicide product (the "Product") to be sold in Australia and New Zealand. The Product, which is currently sold in Europe and Africa, will be marketed by Sipcam in Australia and New Zealand under the trade name "Novellus" following receipt of the requisite approvals. In conjunction with the distribution agreement, the application for the registration of Novellus has been submitted to the Australian regulatory authorities and the process is anticipated to be completed in time for the 2020 growing season.
The Agreement allows Sipcam to sell Novellus in Australia and New Zealand on an exclusive basis, primarily for the treatment of botrytis on grapes. Botrytis is a fungus that affects many plant species, but it is particularly problematic for grape growers due to the rapid progression of the disease and its significant impact on crop yield and wine quality. Sipcam is already the exclusive distributor for the Product in Italy and Spain, and therefore has good product knowledge and insight into the grape fungicide market, making it well-positioned to commercialise the Product in a market with significant potential.
Australia and New Zealand are both major producers of grapes and wine, with Australia being included in the world's top ten. The need for an effective product for the treatment of botrytis is well-known in both countries and is even more important after the removal of iprodione for sale in Europe. As much of Australia's wine is exported, the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) has stated that products containing the active constituent iprodione are no longer recommended for use on Australian grapes destined for export.
Sean Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Eden, said: "There is a clear opportunity for Novellus to help growers control botrytis in Australia and New Zealand. The fact that Novellus can also be used close to harvest will provide a valuable replacement for iprodione. We are pleased to be taking the first step toward expanding the existing relationship we have with Sipcam, who has already proven to be a good commercial partner for the Product in Italy and Spain. We anticipate the further expansion of our relationship with Sipcam in due course as our collaboration continues under the various agreements signed last year."
For further information contact:
Eden Research plc |
www.edenresearch.com |
Sean Smith Alex Abrey |
01285 359 555 |
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Shore Capital (Nomad) |
020 7408 4090 |
Stephane Auton / Patrick Castle |
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Powerscourt (Financial PR) |
020 7250 1446 |
Nick Dibden Jana Tsiligiannis |
[email protected] |
Notes:
Eden Research is a technology development and commercialisation company with intellectual property and expertise in encapsulation, terpenes and environmentally friendly technologies to provide naturally occurring solutions for the global agrochemicals, animal health, and consumer product industries.
Eden's encapsulation technology harnesses the biocidal efficacy of naturally occurring chemicals produced by plants (terpenes) and can also be used with both natural and synthetic compounds to enhance their performance and ease-of-use. The technology uses yeast cells that are a by-product of numerous commercial production processes to deliver a slow release of natural compounds for agricultural and non-agricultural uses. Terpenes are already widely used in the food flavouring, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Historically, terpenes have had limited commercial use in the agrochemical sector due to their volatility, phytotoxicity and poor solubility. Eden's platform encapsulation technology provides a unique, environmentally friendly solution to these problems and enables terpenes to be used as effective, low-risk agrochemicals.
Eden is developing these technologies through innovative research and a series of commercial production, marketing and distribution partnerships.
The Company has a number of patents and a pipeline of products at differing stages of development targeting specific areas of the global agrochemicals industry. To date, the Company has invested in the region of £13m in developing and protecting its intellectual property and seeking regulatory approval for products that rely upon the Company's technologies. Revenues earned by the Company have been modest whilst the Company has concentrated on securing patent protection for its intellectual property, gaining regulatory approvals, identifying suitable industrial partners, and entering into commercial agreements.
In May 2013, the three actives that comprise Eden's first commercial product, 3AEY, were approved as new ingredients for use in plant protection products. This represented a major milestone in the commercialisation of Eden's technology and is a significant accomplishment for any company. To illustrate this point, one should note that in all of 2013, Eden's approvals represented 3 of only 10 new active ingredients approved by the EC.
3AEY has been authorised for sale in Kenya, Malta, Greece, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, France, Cyprus, Albania and Portugal.
Eden was admitted to trading on AIM on 11 May 2012 and trades under the symbol EDEN.
For more information about Eden, please visit: www.edenresearch.com.
