Syngenta and Amoeba partner to develop and commercialize new biofungicide to fight Europe’s wheat disease

Together, these diseases affect an estimated 9–12 million hectares of wheat annually across Europe and the UK

Syngenta and Amoéba SA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and commercialize a new biofungicide for the EU and UK markets, targeting major wheat diseases such as septoria tritici blotch and yellow rust.

Together, these diseases affect an estimated 9–12 million hectares of wheat annually across Europe and the UK. In Germany alone, STB is responsible for yield losses ranging from 5–50 per cent and costs around €1.5 billion each year. Yellow rust can reduce yields by 10–70 per cent and may even lead to total crop failure in highly susceptible varieties, according to respected industry and academic sources.

A definitive distribution agreement is expected by spring 2026, with first sales projected for 2028.

This partnership will help provide farmers with sustainable, nature-based solutions that address the growing challenge of pest resistance and support agricultural productivity at a time when conventional crop protection options are becoming increasingly limited.

Matthew Pickard, Syngenta’s Head of Seedcare and Biologicals for Europe, said: “At Syngenta, we are committed to delivering advanced, effective biological solutions at the cutting edge of science. We’re proud to collaborate with Amoéba to bring nature-inspired innovations that empower farmers across these key markets.”

Amoéba’s Chairman of the Board, Benoît Villers, and CEO Jean-François Doucet added: “We are very pleased to collaborate with Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation. This agreement, which is expected to lead to distribution and development partnerships, represents a major milestone for Amoéba. It allows us to combine our scientific expertise with Syngenta’s recognized leadership in cereal protection and biocontrol marketing. This collaboration demonstrates how innovators can work together to deliver meaningful benefits to farmers while paving the way for broader applications in field crops.”