Beijing, China
May 9, 2024
Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) (the “Company” or “Origin”), a leading Chinese agricultural technology company, today announced the issuance of a GMO safety certificate for its transgenic maize, BBL2-2, marking a significant milestone for the Company and the agricultural sector, heralding a new era in crop innovation.
The newly certified BBL2-2 maize contains two insect-resistant genes, Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb, and one herbicide-tolerance gene, Cp4-epsps. This genetic composition makes the maize resistant to various lepidopteran pests such as corn borer, cotton bollworm, and armyworm. BBL2-2 is a product with substantial commercial value and extensive application potential.
The certification of BBL2-2 confirms its adherence to stringent safety standards and paves the way for its commercial launch. The introduction of BBL2-2 is expected to significantly enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, providing a powerful tool for farmers to manage pests more effectively and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.
Dr. Gengchen Han, Chairman and CEO of Origin Agritech, commented, “Receiving this GMO safety certificate is a transformative moment for Origin Agritech and agricultural biotechnology in China. BBL2-2 exemplifies our capabilities in genetic innovation and sets a new standard in sustainable agriculture. We are eager to lead the commercialization of this technology, which promises significant improvements in crop resilience and yield.”
In addition to its work on BBL2-2, Origin Agritech continues to advance its agricultural technology portfolio with significant progress in gene editing. Recently, the Company developed a high-yield corn inbred line through precise gene editing techniques, which has shown a yield increase of more than 50% over traditional corn in extensive multilocational field trials. The gene-edited event is now in the process of agricultural biosafety assessment. This development is expected to greatly enhance the productivity and cost-effectiveness of corn production, reinforcing Origin’s commitment to sustainable and efficient agriculture.
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