10 September 2026, Basel: Syngenta Crop Protection AG and Amoéba have signed an exclusive supply and distribution agreement covering a next-generation biocontrol fungicide, AXP20, for cereal crops across the European Union, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Switzerland.
The agreement covers all cereals except corn and builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the companies in November 2025. The product will be commercialized under a Syngenta trademark following regulatory registration.
The first market registrations are targeted for the third quarter of 2028, with sales in core European Union markets expected by the end of 2028 for use during the 2029 growing season. Initial applications are planned for wheat, spelt and triticale, covering both spring and winter crops.
Targeting septoria and yellow rust
The initial development program is focused on two major fungal diseases affecting European cereal production: septoria tritici blotch, caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, and yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis.
The two diseases are estimated to affect between 9 million and 12 million hectares of cereals in Europe each year. In Germany, septoria-related yield losses can range from 5% to 50%, with annual economic losses estimated at up to €1.5 billion. Yellow rust can reduce yields by 10% to 70% and can result in complete crop failure in susceptible varieties, according to industry and academic sources cited by the companies.
Biological fungicide based on Willaertia magna
AXP20 is based on a lysate derived from the amoeba Willaertia magna C2c Maky. The technology is designed to inhibit fungal spore germination and also stimulate the plant’s natural defense mechanisms.
The active substance is classified by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) as Group BM02, covering biological fungicides with multiple modes of action. The companies said the technology has no known resistance and presents a low to very low resistance risk.
The active substance received European Union approval in 2025 following an assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In June 2026, Amoéba received marketing authorization in France for AXPERA, a biofungicide based on the same technology.
The French authorization is expected to support further national authorization processes in other European Union Member States.
Joint field development program
Syngenta and Amoéba are conducting more than 70 field trials in 2026 as part of the development and validation program for AXP20.
The companies said the collaboration will initially focus on cereal disease control in Europe, with plans to assess applications in additional crops and geographies as the product’s efficacy profile is further established.
Under the agreement, Syngenta will hold exclusive distribution rights for AXP20 in cereals, excluding corn, across the EU-27, the UK, Ukraine and Switzerland.
First registrations in core European Union markets are targeted for the third quarter of 2028, followed by anticipated registrations in the UK and Switzerland around 2029.
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