Amoeba's AXPERA earns biocontrol Gold Medal in 2025 Bernard Blum Award

Amoéba, a French industrial greentech company specializing in the development of natural microbiological solutions based on the patented use of amoebae, received the Bernard Blum Gold Medal, awarded for innovation in biocontrol for its AXPERA plant anti-fungal solution.

Created in 2015, the Bernard Blum Award recognizes innovative biocontrol products each year, combining agronomic effectiveness with respect for human health and the environment. Entries are evaluated according to four criteria: scientific foundation and merit, degree of innovation, contribution to sustainable agriculture and commercial opportunity. For this year's 10th edition, the jury selected 20 candidates.

“This award recognizes more than 10 years of research and commitment. AXPERA proves that it is possible to innovate in new ways to address major agronomic challenges,” said Sandrine Troussieux, scientific director at Amoéba. “We are very proud that our solution, born out of French scientific innovation, is now recognized internationally.”

Amoéba, which was founded in 2010, continued its large-scale testing and benchmarking campaigns in 2025 on vines and vegetable crops in European countries and the U.S. with its commercial partner Koppert, prescribers and farmers. These tests — conducted with cucumber producers in the Netherlands and winegrowers in Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne, France — confirmed the effectiveness and reliability of the solution in real-world conditions, the company said. Farmers can now use AXPERA for fungal diseases like mildew and powdery mildew.

Amoéba has received regulatory approval from the U.S. EPA to market its AXPERA NOA and AXPERA GREEN biocontrol products, intended respectively for high-value-added specialty crops (vines, tomatoes, cucurbits, leafy greens, legumes and berries), professional turf markets and ornamental plants.

In Europe, the results of applications for marketing authorization for the AXPERA solution in nine European countries are expected by early 2026. In Brazil, a marketing authorization decision is expected in mid-2026.

These steps could pave the way for a gradual commercial launch in the first strategic target markets (vineyards, vegetable crops) before expanding to other agricultural sectors, the company said.

“This award is much more than just a prize: it is a key milestone that validates our development strategy and accelerates our market launch,” said Jean-François Doucet, CEO of Amoéba. “AXPERA was designed to address the environmental and economic challenges facing farmers today. Our ambition is clear: to make AXPERA a global benchmark in biocontrol."