Syngenta Crop Protection and French greentech company Amoéba SA have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and commercialize a new generation of biocontrol products for cereal growers in the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK).

The companies plan to finalize a distribution agreement by spring 2026.

The collaboration aims to expand biological options for wheat growers facing increasing pest resistance and fewer conventional crop protection tools.

Initial development efforts will target two of the most damaging wheat diseases in Europe – septoria tritici blotch (STB) and yellow rust – which affect an estimated nine to 12 million hectares of wheat each year. In Germany alone, STB is linked to annual yield losses of five to 50 percent and costs reaching €1.5 billion, while yellow rust can reduce yields by up to 70 percent or completely destroy susceptible crops.

Amoéba’s biocontrol technology is based on a proprietary lysate from the amoeba Willaertia magna. The active substance received EU approval in June 2025 following EFSA’s assessment, with product authorizations progressing. The technology was recognized with the Bernard Blum Gold Medal in 2025 as the most promising biocontrol solution globally.

“This agreement is a major step for Amoéba,” said company leadership, Chairman Benoit Villers and CEO Jean-François Doucet, in a joint statement. “It enables us to pair our scientific expertise with Syngenta’s recognized strength in cereal protection and market development.”

Founded in 2010, Amoéba is the only company currently able to produce Willaertia-based products at industrial scale. The partnership is expected to support the development of biocontrol solutions for cereals and potentially broader field crop applications in the future.