SAN RAMON, Calif., Jan. 21, 2025 — Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. and Valent U.S.A. LLC have signed an exclusive agreement to jointly develop Effeeda^® for rice in the United States, bringing new technology to manage problematic and resistant weeds affecting rice producers.

This partnership builds upon the longstanding relationship between Kumiai and Valent to drive innovation in crop protection and expand tools available to growers to maximize crop health and on-farm sustainability.

“Kumiai and Valent have been long-standing partners and we are very pleased to be able to jointly develop our novel active ingredient in the United States,” said Masaru Yokoyama, President and Representative Director, Kumiai Chemical. “This initiative is part of our ongoing overseas development of Effeeda, and we plan to further expand its presence in the future.”

Effeeda^®, the trademark name for fenquinotrione, is a novel active ingredient and triketone herbicide with an HPPD inhibitor mechanism of action discovered by Kumiai. It is effective against a broad range of problematic weeds in both water-seeded and dry-seeded rice, including ALS inhibitor-resistant weeds and difficult-to-control broadleaf weeds.

In laboratory and field trials, Effeeda has demonstrated strong potential for resistance management in rice herbicide programs.

“We are pleased to extend our partnership with Kumiai to enhance the trusted portfolio of rice herbicides we provide to our customers with this next generation of innovation,” said Matt Plitt, President and CEO of Valent U.S.A. “We are steadfast in our commitment to sustainability and the future of food production, and this collaboration marks a key step forward as we expand solutions to complement our current herbicide portfolio, including Regiment^® and Bolero^®.”

Valent and Kumiai will collaborate on additional research and regulatory reviews throughout the registration process and look forward to bringing products featuring Effeeda to U.S. rice producers.

For more information, visit valent.com.

About Kumiai Chemical

Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. is a research and development-oriented company focused on advancing sustainable agriculture through innovative crop protection technologies and fine chemical products.

About Valent U.S.A.

Valent U.S.A. LLC, headquartered in San Ramon, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan. Valent develops and markets products in the United States, Canada and Mexico that advance sustainable agriculture, protect crops, enhance yields and improve food quality.

Valent offers a broad portfolio of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators, as well as biorational products developed by its affiliate, Valent BioSciences LLC.

For more information, call 800-6-VALENT (682-5368) or visit valent.com.