Responding to investor inquiries, Ecogen Inc. confirmed today that the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin gene, Cry3Bb, utilized by the Monsanto Company as the active ingredient in its corn rootworm-resistant corn lines, is a product of Ecogen's research collaboration with Monsanto. Upon government approval and commercialization by Monsanto, revenue generated by Monsanto from this proprietary Bt corn would be subject to commercialization fees due to Ecogen under a 1996 agreement between the two companies.

Ecogen is a leader in the development of natural microbial pesticide products for the control of
plant disease and insect pests. Ecogen's growing portfolio of products has been developed to
address the concerns of past management with the added assurance of environmental compatibility. The Company's products include: biofungicides -- Aspire® for post-harvest rot diseases and AQ10® for powdery mildew, as well as the Bt bioinsecticides -- CRYMAX® and Condor® to control caterpillars. Additional bioinsecticides under development include: Cruiser®, an insecticidal nematode product for soil insect pest control and CryStar(TM), a Bt bioinsecticide for mosquito control.

Company news release
N2371