Company completes acquisition of Connecticut-based Earth Biosciences, Inc. SALEM, Va., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Novozymes today announced it has acquired a natural insecticide which may deter Lyme disease by controlling the deer tick, one of the carriers of the disease. Acquiring the insecticide came as part of the recently completed acquisition of Earth Biosciences, Inc. (EBS), which closed September 30, 2006. Novozymes will incorporate EBS into its ROOTS (R) Plant Care Group. Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete pathogen and is spread to humans by deer ticks. The infectious disease, which can cause arthritis, neurological and heart problems, is more prevalent throughout the northeastern and midwestern states of the U.S. and in Europe. In the transaction, Novozymes will add two new alternative pesticide technologies to its portfolio. These include the insecticide Metarhizium anisopliae and the fungicide Bacillus subtilis, both naturally occurring microorganisms. The Metarhizium portfolio will include a full registration package with approved U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and European registrations. This new insecticide product is currently approved for residential outdoor control of ticks and the control of important ornamental pests such as black vine weevils, a very serious nursery pest in the US, Holland, Italy, Germany, France, UK and Spain. The acquisition combines ROOTS (R) Plant Care Group technical and sales support, development tools and biostimulant and micronutrient product portfolio for growth enhancement in the turf and nursery industries, with EBS' proven and trusted technology for insect control. "With the acquisition of ROOTS (R) Plant Care Group three years ago and now the acquisition of EBS, Novozymes continues to strengthen its position as the world leader in the research, development and manufacture of biotechnology products and natural pest technologies," stated John Sedivy, Novozymes director of business development. "The acquisition of EBS simultaneously meets Novozymes' objectives for strategic growth: we are entering an attractive new market segment as well as expanding our positions into important geographic markets that we already serve." According to Novozymes Biologicals president Ted Melnik, the company will make additional investments to bring these new technologies to market and begin production. "The investment of additional funds in the technology acquisition should signal our full-fledged commitment to the biological pesticide market and reaffirm our position as a biotechnology leader, and the right company to make this happen," he said. With a technology platform of applied microbiology, Novozymes Biologicals produces live microbial products for a variety of applications, including cleaning and odor control for institutional and household products, industrial and municipal waste treatment products, and new technologies for animal health and plant care. Novozymes' microorganisms business and all related activities are the responsibility of Novozymes Biologicals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Novozymes A/S. Novozymes A/S is the biotech-based world leader in enzymes and microorganisms. Using nature's own technologies, we continuously expand the frontiers of biological solutions to improve industrial performance everywhere. Visit http://www.novozymes.com/. DATASOURCE: Novozymes CONTACT: Yokima Cureton, office, +1-919-494-3209, or mobile, +1-919-218-4501, ; or John Sedivy, office, +1-540-389-9361, mobile, +1-540-314-1981, , both for Novozymes Web site: http://www.novozymes.com/

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