October 29, 2013
 

Monsanto and Evogene extend R&D partnership on plant genes identification

Monsanto and plant genomics company, Evogene Ltd, have announced the extension of their expanding research and development collaboration on identifying key plant genes related to yield, environmental stress and fertiliser utilisation in corn, soybean, cotton and canola.

First signed in 2008 and extended in 2011, the partnership will stretch the current programmes towards August 2016, with the addition of a new five year programme for the identification of genes providing resistance against the Stalk Rot disease in corn, which is caused by multiple Fusarium species.

Fusarium is a family of fungi which has inflicted significant yield loss across the world's major crops.

Under the updated terms of the collaboration, Monsanto will receive candidate genes from Evogene, which may be able to combat the Stalk Rot threat.

The revised agreement will also provide Monsanto with candidate genes which are expected to improve yield, fertiliser utilisation and plant resistance to environmental stress. In addition, the company will receive exclusive license rights to develop and commercialise such genes as part of its trait pipelines for key crops.

"We are extremely pleased with Monsanto's decision to extend our excellent broad collaboration in the areas of yield and abiotic stress tolerance with respect to the four major field crops," said Ofer Haviv, Evogene's president and CEO. "The addition of a new discovery programme focused on Fusarium resistance is another indication of Evogene's growing commitment and activities targeted at biotic stress related conditions, and the broad applicability of our unique technology platform."

"Agricultural innovation will be key to helping meet growing global demand," added David Fischhoff, the head of Monsanto Technology Strategy Development. "Through the combination of Evogene's gene discovery technologies with our company's trait development expertise, this collaboration is focused on developing new tools that help farmers drive yields even further."