BioWorks, Inc. announced today that it has received funding from the EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) FY99 Phase I program. The accepted SBIR program will fund costs for investigating the use of BioWorks' EPA registered, patented biological fungicide Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 in combination with ozone, as an alternative to methyl bromide.

The research program, which is titled "Ozone biocidal properties and stimulation of Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 when applied in combination as an environmentally benign alternative to methyl bromide", received funding for 6 months to carry out preliminary research in this area. Commenting on the program, BioWorks' Director of Research and Development Dr. Chris Hayes stated "Methyl bromide use is rapidly being phased out in agriculture, largely due to suspected deleterious long term toxic effects on the environment. We are very pleased to see funding for this project, which involves combining a biological and a chemical control agent to achieve synergistic action to control soil pathogens and nematodes. If successful, this approach has the potential to replace the use of methyl bromide in certain soil fumigation uses."

SBIR grants made by the EPA are for the purpose of accelerating the delivery of new products and technology to the marketplace when, after a thorough professional review, the EPA finds that the new product and technology have a good probability of success and will be of important benefit to the environment.

BioWorks, Inc., a privately held company, is a leading supplier to the agriculture industry of biological control products and biotechnologies that enhance plant health, plant productivity and consumer and worker safety.

Contact:
William J. Foster, President and CEO
122 N. Genesee Street
Geneva, New York 14456
(800) 877-9443 - phone
(315) 781-1793 - fax

Company news release
N2076