MustGrow Receives First Milestone Payment from Bayer AG

Bayer AG has paid MustGrow the first development milestone payment. The MustGrow / Bayer AG License and Collaboration Agreement, signed in December 2023, covers soil applications of MustGrow's mustard-based biocontrol technologies in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - August 21, 2026) - MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV: MGRO) (OTCQB: MGROF) (FSE: 0C0) (" MustGrow ") is pleased to announce that it has received the first milestone payment from Bayer AG (BAYN) (" Bayer "), which was payable under the License and Collaboration Agreement (the " Agreement ") entered into in December 2023 . Under the terms of the Agreement, Bayer has access to MustGrow's mustard-based biocontrol technologies covering soil applications in Europe, Middle East and Africa (" Bayer Territory "). This first milestone payment was linked to technical product development milestones. Going forward, potential additional milestone payments payable to MustGrow are linked to additional achievements. Upon commencement of commercial sales, if any, MustGrow will also be entitled to fees from royalties and manufacturing sales. Unless terminated earlier as provided in the Agreement, the term of the Agreement shall continue until the expiration of all intellectual property licensed to Bayer under the Agreement. Under the Agreement, Bayer is responsible for regulatory and market development work (the " Development Work ") within the Bayer Territory in the respective field of use necessary to commercialize MustGrow's mustard-based biocontrol technologies, including the development of the formulated product, conducting relevant regulatory data studies for regulatory submissions, filing regulatory submissions, registration with relevant regulatory authorities, and support, marketing, and commercial sales activities. MustGrow estimates that the value of the upfront, milestone payments and Development Work could approximate US$35 million to US$40 million over the next 5 to 7 years . The value and the timeline associated with completing the Development Work is not knowable with precision at this time for a variety of reasons, including risks relating to product development and regulatory matters and the nature of collaboration agreements, which are described more fully in MustGrow's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2025, which is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Because of the nature of the licensing arrangement, other than costs associated with providing product for testing, there are minimal incremental costs to MustGrow in pursuing the Development Work. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the first milestone payment amount, specific technical product development milestones and assumptions underlying MustGrow's estimates of the value of the upfront, milestone payments and Development Work are considered confidential information, and therefore such details are omitted from this news release. "Growers require new sustainable, effective and affordable solutions to meet their needs in the future. Growing the toolbox, complementing existing technologies and introducing new possibilities is critical to address tomorrow's challenges in the fields," said Ralf Glaubitz, Head of Crop Protection Product Team Biologicals at Bayer's Crop Science division. "For us, a strong network and partners like MustGrow are key to accelerate the development of innovative biological solutions to broaden the toolbox and to bring the necessary crop protection innovations one step closer to where they are needed." "Receiving this first milestone payment from Bayer under the Agreement marks another significant validation for MustGrow," remarked Corey Giasson, President & CEO of MustGrow. "Bayer is a global leader in crop science and sustainable agriculture, and has been an excellent partner for MustGrow in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This first milestone payment from Bayer continues to validate the need...