AgroSpheres and Wilbur-Ellis Launch FUN-THYME™, a Powerful Broad-Spectrum Biofungicide Built on Novel AgriCell® Technology

Exclusive partnership brings first AgriCell®-based product to market

AgroSpheres, a biotechnology company transforming crop protection with biobased innovations, today announced the commercial launch of FUN-THYME™, a groundbreaking, broad-spectrum biofungicide derived from thyme oil and delivered through the company’s proprietary AgriCell encapsulation platform. Through an exclusive distribution agreement, Wilbur-Ellis will introduce FUN-THYME™ to growers across the United States, helping them protect high-value crops including almonds, apples, tomatoes, cherries, berries and grapes. This pioneering product offers a new level of pest management efficiency and a highly effective alternative to traditional chemistries for both conventional and organic farming systems.

The total U.S. fungicide market is estimated at over $33 billion annually, driven by demand for solutions that effectively manage resistant pathogens, improve yield and align with increasing regulatory pressures around pesticide residues. This development and exclusive distribution partnership marks a significant step toward accelerating the adoption of sustainable agricultural solutions in the U.S. market.

FUN-THYME™

FUN-THYME™ is an advanced biofungicide that provides superior performance against a wide array of destructive fungal crop diseases while minimizing environmental impact. It harnesses potent biochemicals from thyme oil through a unique mode of action known as BM01 membrane disruption that is new to the Wilbur-Ellis portfolio. This mechanism reduces resistance and ensures safety for workers and the environment. Just one 2.5-gallon jug treats up to 20 acres, offering ultra-efficient application. Backed by three years of rigorous field development and a variety of trials, FUN-THYME™ delivers optimal product-market fit and strong grower returns.

FUN-THYME™ is the first commercial product to feature AgroSpheres’ novel AgriCell encapsulation technology, which stabilizes bioactive compounds against UV degradation, temperature changes and other volatile field stressors. While bio-based compounds are typically unstable, AgriCell® protects them until they reach the target, attacking disease in multiple sites and stopping it at its source. Free of solvents, microplastics and petrochemicals, AgriCell® is a fully biodegradable delivery system that naturally breaks down into nutrients beneficial to plant health.

Milestone and Partnership

“This is a major milestone for AgroSpheres,” said Payam Pourtaheri, CEO and Co-Founder of AgroSpheres. “FUN-THYME™ shows how we can harness the power of nature and deliver it with precision. With Wilbur-Ellis’ extensive distribution network and deep industry expertise, they are the ideal partner to bring this technology to growers looking to sustainably improve their crop yields.”

Ameer Shakeel, CTO and Co-Founder of AgroSpheres, highlighted the collaboration and innovation behind FUN-THYME™: "We couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Wilbur-Ellis. Our teams have worked together tirelessly to overcome the key challenges with bio-based formulations and promote long-term crop health."

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to bring innovative and sustainable solutions to our customers,” said Chris Wooley, Portfolio Manager for Specialty Actives at Wilbur-Ellis. “We’re excited to be the first to deliver AgriCell technology to the market and we see strong potential for this technology to serve as the foundation of a portfolio of next-generation biological products that meet the evolving needs of modern agriculture.”

Wooley added: "At Wilbur-Ellis, we’re committed to bringing breakthrough technologies like the AgriCell® to growers that maximize their productivity while adopting more sustainable practices. FUN-THYME™ is a unique solution that addresses both needs."

At its launch, FUN-THYME™ is approved for use in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, with registration pending in California.

About AgroSpheres

AgroSpheres envisions a future built by nature’s technologies. Based in Charlottesville, VA, the company’s mission is to revolutionize agriculture with reliable and affordable biobased solutions. AgroSpheres’ deep pipeline of biomolecules and patented AgriCell platform facilitate the development of biological pesticides with multi-year shelf lives and high field efficacy. The company’s platform makes it cost-effective to deploy novel biomolecules, plant extracts, and small molecules in the field at significantly reduced doses. For more information, visit www.agrospheres.com.

About Wilbur-Ellis

Founded in 1921, the Wilbur-Ellis companies are leading marketers, distributors, and manufacturers of agricultural products and animal nutrients. By developing strong relationships, making strategic market investments, and capitalizing on new opportunities, the Wilbur-Ellis companies have continued to grow the business with sales of over $3.5 billion. For more information, please visit www.wilburellis.com.

Wilbur-Ellis Agriculture, with annual sales revenue of $2.5 billion, has over 150 branch locations throughout the U.S.

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FUN-THYME™ is an advanced biofungicide that provides superior performance against a wide array of destructive fungal crop diseases while minimizing environmental impact.