September 5, 2007

Iowa State University and Monsanto team up for GM soy development

The Iowa State University Research Foundation (ISURF) and Monsanto Company have joined hands to resolve a patent dispute related to low linolenic soybeans as well as establishing a relationship to pave the way for future technology development.

Under the terms of the agreement, Monsanto will receive a commercial license from ISURF for current and future low linolenic acid product lines developed by Iowa State University. The University, in turn, will receive a research license for the use of Roundup RReady2Yield soybeans.

According to Robb Fraley, Monsanto's chief technology officer said this collaborative agreement will ensure that farmers "will be able to obtain the benefits of these new soybean technologies delivered together in the seed".

Soybeans that contain low linolenic acid content result in more stable oil that does not require hydrogenation. By eliminating hydrogenation, the oil has no trans fat. As additional soybean quality traits are developed by Iowa State, Monsanto's Roundup RReady2Yield(TM) trait will be made available for stacked combinations.