Contacts: Pamela G. Marrone, AgraQuest Inc., 530-750-0150
Shari Samuels, Rohm and Haas Co., 215-592-2411
Jill Nicholls, Fleishman-Hillard Inc., 916-441-7606

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Strategic partnership to develop and introduce new environmentally-friendly biopesticides

Davis, Calif., and Philadelphia, Pa. (Nov. 13, 2000)

AgraQuest Inc., a California-based leader in the development and manufacture of natural pest management products, today announced a strategic partnership with specialty chemical company Rohm and Haas (NYSE: ROH) for the rapid introduction and marketing of new biopesticides that answer grower needs for safe and effective pest control.

AgraQuest identifies, develops and manufactures biopesticides made from naturally occurring microbes that have been screened for their commercial viability as pest management tools. As part of the agreement, AgraQuest identified promising candidates from its library of pre-screened microbes and agreed to develop them into commercially viable crop protection products in collaboration with Rohm and Haas Company.

"This agreement is a win-win for AgraQuest and Rohm and Haas, combining AgraQuest's research and development expertise, with the development, sales and marketing might of Rohm and Haas - one of the world's largest manufacturers of specialty chemicals," said AgraQuest CEO Pam Marrone.

"We are very pleased that a major agri-chemical company like Rohm and Haas recognizes the potential of AgraQuest's technology. In the future, we expect partnerships to be an important element of our growth strategy, as our products become increasingly recognized by the agri-chemical industry as filling a void for natural, effective pest management solutions," Marrone said.

Jim Ryan, director of business development of agri-chemicals for Rohm and Haas, said the partnership complements the company's 90-year history for innovation and service. "Rohm and Haas is a leader in the specialty crop protection industry and we view AgraQuest as the leading biopesticide company," Ryan said. "Combined with our development, registration, marketing and sales resources and AgraQuest's proven ability to invent and manufacture biopesticides that meet the efficacy and cost requirements of growers, the opportunities are boundless.

Through its systematic and proprietary discovery process, AgraQuest has built a library of more than 13,000 microbes - all pre-screened for their potential as bioinsecticides, biofungicides and bionematicides for farm and home pest management.

The company's debut product, the biofungicide Serenade®, was discovered within the first 1,000 samples tested and was brought to market in three years. Chemical companies typically screen 20,000 to 200,000 active ingredients before finding an effective new product. Serenade was first introduced in South America in 1999 and received its U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration for grape, nut and vegetable crops in 2000. Its European registration is pending. AgraQuest is building its own sales force to sell Serenade and its other products (not part of this agreement with Rohm and Haas) in the US and Canada.

Davis, Calif.-based AgraQuest Inc. is a global leader in the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of natural pest management solutions for farm, home and public use. Through its systematic and proprietary screening process, AgraQuest evaluates and develops naturally occurring microbes into commercial biopesticides. Its products are environmentally safe and deliver the performance, reliability and ease of use expected by the agricultural and home gardening industries. The company is backed by influential growers, agri-businesses and internationally recognized venture capital firms. AgraQuest has established collaborative partnerships with Rohm and Haas Co. and FMC Agroquimica de Mexico. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.agraquest.com.

Rohm and Haas (www.rohmhaas.com) is a $7 billion specialty chemical company and employs more than 21,000 people at 150 manufacturing and research sites in 25 countries. Rohm and Haas technology is found in paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, household products, personal computers and electronic components, and construction materials. It also helps bring food to the table - fruits and vegetables - and salt, an essential ingredient for life. In addition to serving the specialty crop market, Rohm and Haas offers a wide range of turf and ornamental products designed for use by golf course and lawn care professionals. Rohm and Haas is the recipient of numerous awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including two Presidential Green Chemistry Awards, the only company to win the award twice.

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