Syngenta and Amoéba seal biofungicide deal as cereal growers battle disease and dwindling chemistry options

Syngenta and French biotech company Amoéba have signed a long-term agreement to commercialize AXP20, a novel biofungicide derived from the amoeba C2c Maky, targeting septoria and yellow rust in European cereals. Amid rising fungicide resistance and regulatory constraints, AXP20 offers a biological solution with multiple modes of action and low resistance risk, with EU market registrations targeted for 2028 and on-farm use in 2029. The deal grants Syngenta exclusive distribution rights across most European cereal markets, and both companies are evaluating further crop and geographic expansion. Field trials have shown AXP20 to be effective at controlling key wheat diseases while boosting plant defense mechanisms.