By Janet Kanters

Amoéba, a French industrial greentech company specializing in microbiological solutions, has announced that the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) is in the final phase of evaluating the marketing authorization application for its biocontrol product, AXPERA. Submitted in March 2025, the application is expected to culminate in approval later this year, paving the way for AXPERA’s introduction to European markets.

The draft Registration Report, issued by ANSES in February 2026, has confirmed AXPERA’s safety and efficacy. “Based on the draft, Amoéba does not anticipate any obstacles to the granting of the marketing authorization. All the requested uses (crop/disease combinations) have been considered acceptable, and the product’s favourable safety profile has been confirmed,” said Jean-François Doucet, CEO of Amoéba, who added the product has undergone rigorous field efficacy trials and toxicology studies, meeting all regulatory requirements for plant protection products.

AXPERA is designed to combat fungal diseases in crops such as grapevines, cucurbits, tomatoes, and lettuce. Its dual mode of action – spore inhibition and stimulation of plant defenses – has demonstrated strong performance in trials, including its use against downy mildew in French vineyards in 2025.

“AXPERA performed very well in 2025, even under high disease pressure. Wine growers in Burgundy and Bordeaux, including Château Léoville Barton, were highly satisfied and plan to adopt AXPERA on a larger scale,” Doucet added.

While the final administrative steps for AXPERA’s approval in France are expected to take several weeks, agricultural sectors in France and Italy have already initiated procedures for derogatory marketing authorizations. These emergency authorizations would allow AXPERA to be used in phytosanitary emergencies, such as combating resistant pests or addressing the lack of viable alternatives for organic production. “The main drivers behind these requests include the absence of effective pest control solutions, resistance to authorized chemical products, and the proven efficacy and favorable risk profile of AXPERA,” Doucet explained.

In parallel, Amoéba is expanding its reach in the Netherlands, where it has applied for a new large-scale experimental permit to test AXPERA on additional crops, including potatoes, sugar beets, and apples. The trials aim to confirm the product’s efficacy under commercial conditions and integrate it into Dutch greenhouse systems. “Subject to approval, this program will strengthen Amoéba’s visibility and credibility among Dutch growers,” Doucet noted.

Looking beyond Europe, Amoéba is preparing for a pre-marketing launch of AXPERA in the United States in 2026, with large-scale commercialization planned for 2027 through its partner, Koppert. The company is also seeking new partnerships to introduce AXPERA to global markets, targeting strategic crops such as soybeans, rice, and citrus.

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