Syngenta and Amoéba SA Sign MoU to Develop and Commercialize New Biocontrol Solutions for EU and UK
19 November 2025, UK: Syngenta Crop Protection and French greentech company Amoéba SA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop and commercialize next-generation biocontrol solutions for cereal and field crop farmers across the EU and the UK. The companies aim to finalize a distribution agreement by spring 2026.
At the center of this collaboration is a new bio-fungicide candidate derived from the lysate of the amoeba Willaertia magna C2c Maky. Amoebas—single-celled microorganisms—are driving this new biological innovation, which has shown strong potential to protect wheat and other cereals from major fungal diseases that cause billions of dollars in global losses each year. Trials indicate that the candidate is effective against key fungal pathogens and can activate natural defence responses in plants.
The partnership will initially focus on two of the most damaging wheat diseases in Europe and the UK: septoria tritici blotch (STB) and yellow rust. Together, these diseases affect an estimated 9–12 million hectares of wheat annually. In Germany alone, STB results in yield losses ranging from 5% to 50%, costing farmers around €1.5 billion per year. Yellow rust can cut yields by 10–70% and, in susceptible varieties, cause complete crop failure.
Syngenta says the collaboration supports its goal of expanding modern biological solutions for integrated crop management.
“At Syngenta, we are committed to deliver advanced, effective biological solutions at the cutting edge of science. We’re proud to work with Amoéba to offer nature-inspired solutions that empower farmers in these important markets,” said Matthew Pickard, Syngenta’s Head of Seedcare and Biologicals for Europe.
Amoéba leadership expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential.
“We are very pleased with the collaboration with Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation,” said Benoit Villers, Chairman of the Board of Amoéba, and Jean-François Doucet, CEO. “This agreement is a major step forward for Amoéba. It gives us the opportunity to combine our scientific expertise with Syngenta’s leadership in cereal protection and biocontrol marketing. It also illustrates how collaboration between innovators can help farmers while opening the door to wider field-crop applications.”
Founded in 2010, Amoéba has developed a patented biocontrol solution based on Willaertia magna lysate. The innovation received the Bernard Blum Gold Medal in October 2025 as the most promising biocontrol solution worldwide. The active substance received EU approval in June 2025 following EFSA’s scientific review and a European Commission decision. Product-specific authorizations are now underway.
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