US EPA approves expanded label for Mevalone

Eden Research plc (AIM: EDEN), the AIM-quoted company focused on sustainable biopesticides and plastic-free formulation technology for global agriculture, announces that the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has approved an expanded label for Mevalone®, the Company's terpene-based biofungicide, significantly broadening the approved uses of the product in the US.

Increased range of approved uses of Mevalone in the US

Label now covers food and non-food crops

Additional target diseases and both open-field and greenhouse applications included

State-level registration process has commenced for the additional crops

Total addressable market is estimated to be in excess of $50m

In addition to the existing approval of grapes (table, wine and raisin) for grey mould and powdery mildew, the label now also covers a broad range of additional high-value food and non-food crops, including almonds, berries, brassicas, cucurbits, fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables, herbs and spices, strawberries, hops, kiwi, figs, pomegranate, fava beans, fennel and tobacco. Target diseases include grey mould (Botrytis), powdery mildew, Sclerotinia, brown rot blossom blight and chocolate spot. Several crop groups are approved for both open-field and greenhouse use.

This approval highlights the continued expansion of Eden’s products across a broad range of high-value crops, as growing demand for sustainable crop-protection solutions strengthens the long-term addressable market for Mevalone and the Company’s wider portfolio. The additional crops will now undergo the state-level review and registration process which is expected to take between one and twelve months, depending upon the state.

Mevalone contains three naturally derived active ingredients (eugenol, geraniol and thymol) and is classified by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) as a Group BM01 fungicide, being a plant extract biological with multimode of action. This means that it is suitable for use as part of integrated pest management and fungicide resistance management programmes. Mevalone is sold in the United States by Eden's commercial partner, Sipcam Agro USA, Inc.

Brent Marek, Chief Executive Officer of Sipcam Agro USA, commented: “Sipcam is excited about our partnership with Eden and the recent label expansion of Mevalone to include numerous new crops, including strawberries and cane fruit. As the exclusive US seller of Mevalone, Sipcam is proud to bring this important disease-management tool to growers for use in protecting these important crops. This expansion represents another significant step forward for Mevalone and reinforces Sipcam’s and Eden’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that deliver value to growers and our industry”.

Sean Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Eden, commented: "This label expansion is an important milestone for Mevalone in the United States, the world's largest single market for crop protection. Growers of a much wider range of high-value fruit, vegetable and speciality crops can now use Mevalone, and we look forward to working with Sipcam Agro USA to build on this broader label in the coming seasons."