St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada and Hyderabad, India
April 15, 2013

DNA LandMarks and Tierra Seed Science today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies. This commercial agreement provides a foundation for the two firms to work together to deliver state-of-the-art genomic services to the rapidly growing Indian agricultural sector.

Tierra will utilize its extensive network in India to promote DNA LandMarks' services. Indian breeding companies will have access to the latest genomic technologies with which they can accelerate and enhance their R&D programs. The two companies will also work together to discover markers linked to traits of interest in key crops.

"We are excited about this new opportunity with Tierra Seed Science," said Klaus Salchert, CEO and Managing Director of DNA LandMarks. "India's agricultural market is very dynamic and growing rapidly. As a world leader in genomic technology, it is important that DNA LandMarks serve this market. That is what we will do together with Tierra."

“We are happy about this collaboration wherein we can reach our goal of developing new technologies jointly for the Asian and African Seed Industry," stated Suresh Atluri, Managing Director of Tierra Seed Science. "Our relationship with DNA LandMarks will bolster the company’s goal of delivering new markers which we will develop together" elaborated Dr. Partha Bhattacharya, Director, Research and Technology, Tierra Seed Science.

About DNA LandMarks
Since its foundation in 1995, DNA LandMarks Inc. has been a world leader in DNA marker development and applications. Today the company offers a full range of marker technologies to the agricultural sector from development to mapping to high-throughput applications. DNA LandMarks is a unit of BASF Plant Science and its Centre of Excellence for DNA sequencing and genotyping. For more information, please visit our website: www.dnalandmarks.ca.

About BASF Plant Science
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, about 840 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition. BASF Plant Science is where Innovation Yields Results and has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops and higher content of specific omega-3’s (EPA/DHA) in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Further information on BASF Plant Science is available on the Internet at www.basf.com/plantscience.

About Tierra Seed Science
Tierra Seed Science Private Ltd. is primarily engaged in Crop Breeding and Technology Development in five focused crops: Cotton, Corn, Rice, Castor and Tomato.
The Company’s research program is targeting high value traits supported by well-equipped Crop Breeding R&D Centre and Biotechnology Research Facility. Tierra’s proven breeding and research team is engaged in developing superior products suitable for tropical Asian and African agro climates. The company is also aggressively establishing strategic alliances with different stake holders in the industry.
To know more about Tierra Seed Science, visit: www.tierraseedscience.com

Published: April 22, 2013