RCS - Plant Health Care - Saori Trial Update

Plant Health CareAnnouncement

01/03/2021 07:00

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RNS Number : 5960Q  Plant Health Care PLC  01 March 2021

Reach

1 March 2021

 

PLANT HEALTH CARE plc

("Plant Health Care" or the "Company")

 

Saori Trial Update

Preliminary results for the Prevention and Treatment of Asian Soybean Rust in
Brazil

 

Plant Health Care(®) (AIM: PHC.L), a leading provider of novel
patent-protected biological products to global agriculture markets, provides
an update on its most advanced proprietary soybean seed treatment for the
prevention and treatment of Asian Soybean Rust ("ASR").

 

Highlights

·   PHC279 has been named "Saori™" for Brazil soybeans, to build brand
recognition in the marketplace

·    Sixteen field trials successfully completed

·    Saori consistently improved control of ASR

·    6x RoI demonstrated for Brazilian soybean growers

·    Initial commercial discussions are under way with distributors

·    Commercial launch on track for the second half of 2021

 

Background

PHC279 is the Company's first product from its PREtec platform to be
commercialised. To aid brand recognition in the marketplace, PHC279 has been
named "Saori™" for seed treatment in Brazil soybeans.

Brazil is the world's leading soybean producer with more than 38 million
hectares (95 million acres) planted in the current season. ASR, caused by the
fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is a devastating disease which can lead to crop
yield loss of up to 90%. Brazilian soybean farmers spent US$2.85 billion on
disease control in the 2019/20 season, approximately 90% of which was for ASR
control.

Saori is the first PREtec peptide approved in Brazil. PREtec peptides
represent a novel class of technology which stimulate the plant to defend
itself. Derived from natural proteins, PREtec is an environmentally friendly
approach to protecting crops and is compatible with mainstream agricultural
practices.

Testing Protocol

To date, the Company has completed 16 trials using commercial volumes of Saori
and has 34 trials ongoing this season. PHC and its partners have been visiting
the ongoing soybean trials across Brazil.  Preliminary results suggest
significantly improved early plant growth and enhanced early season disease
control in the Saori treated fields.

Preliminary Test Results

Across all 16 trials, Saori consistently improved control of ASR.  Saori
shows potential as a novel tool for integrated pest management systems,
reducing the use of potentially less safe agrochemicals during the trial
period.

From a value proposition perspective, Saori demonstrated the potential to
deliver disease control and increased crop yield worth an average of about
US$85/ha for Brazilian soybean growers, delivering a Return on Investment
("RoI") of 6x or more.

PHC has now begun commercial discussions with leading crop protection
companies in Brazil, many of which have planted their own soybean trials to
independently confirm the performance of Saori.

The Company is planning the commercial launch of Saori during the second half
of 2021.  Initial sales will specifically focus on early adopters of novel
technologies within the sustainable agricultural markets.  Significant
penetration of a market estimated to be worth approximately US$2.56bn per
annum is expected over the following three to five years.

Chris Richards, CEO of Plant Health Care said, "Saori has the potential to be
a truly disruptive and sustainable technology in soybeans, boosting crop
growth while improving disease control.  It is not only highly
cost-effective, but also delivers a big step in improving the sustainability
of soybean production. While drought delayed planting in many areas of Brazil,
Saori is demonstrating encouraging performance during the current soybean
season; we are already seeing increased vigour and early season disease
control. We look forward with confidence to the initial commercial launch of
Saori in the second half of 2021. Outside Brazil, we are preparing to launch
PREtec products to markets in the U.S. and other countries, initially
targeting markets with opportunities greater than $5 billion."

For further information, please contact:

Plant Health Care plc

Chris Richards, CEO, Tel: +1 919 926 1600

 

Arden Partners plc - Nomad & Broker

John Llewellyn-Lloyd / Ben Cryer Tel: +44 (0) 20 7614 5900

 

Vox Markets - Digital investor relations

Paul Cornelius / Kat Perez Tel; +44 (0) 7866 384707

 

Company website: http://www.planthealthcare.com
(http://www.planthealthcare.com)

 

 

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