Norwich, United Kingdom
September 26, 2023
Tropic, a pioneering agricultural biotechnology startup company, announced today a strategic collaboration with Corteva Agriscience, a global leader in agricultural solutions, to harness the power of Tropic’s proprietary Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing (GEiGS®) technology for the development of non-transgenic disease resistance traits in corn and soybean.
Through this collaboration, the companies aim to address one of the most pressing challenges in agriculture – controlling disease threats that can significantly impact crop productivity and food security, while promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture. Corteva's industry-leading expertise in gene editing combined with Tropic’s innovative GEiGS® technology will leverage advanced gene-editing techniques to enhance plant performance, boost resistance to diseases, and reduce environmental impact.
Commenting on this, Gilad Gershon, CEO, Tropic, said, "This collaboration represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by farmers in the battle against crop diseases. Our GEiGS® technology offers a precise and powerful solution to enhance resistance against pests, fungal and viral diseases, and together with Corteva, we are excited to be driving tangible, positive change in agriculture."
This joint effort will work to develop effective and durable disease-resistance traits against a devastating range of pathogens. By integrating these GEiGS®-mediated traits into Corteva’s premium corn and soybean genetics, farmers stand to benefit from increased yield potential and a reduction in the environmental impact associated with traditional disease control methods.
"As a leader in ag innovation, Corteva is pleased to collaborate with leading start-up companies like Tropic. We are excited to expand our world-class gene editing capabilities with Tropic’s GEiGS® technology to develop a diverse set of product concepts across our corn and soybean portfolios,” said Tom Greene, Sr. Director of External Innovation Investment at Corteva Agriscience. “By combining our strengths, we are striving to empower farmers with more resilient and productive crops that will not only support their livelihoods but also contribute to a more sustainable future for food and agriculture production."
Both companies are committed to ensuring that the results of this collaboration contribute to global food security and sustainable agricultural practices, reflecting their shared dedication to innovation, research, and development that benefit people and the planet.
About Tropic
Tropic is a pioneering agricultural biotechnology company dedicated to the development of healthier, more robust, high-performing varieties of tropical crops with a vision to become a world leading technology-forward tropical seeds business. The company’s core crop portfolio focusses on banana, coffee and rice, which together provide a source of livelihood to billions of people worldwide. Tropic utilizes its GEiGS® platform and other cutting-edge technologies to develop improved crops with increased disease resistance, higher yields, and environmentally sustainable traits. By harnessing the power of advanced genetic engineering, Tropic is committed to addressing global agricultural challenges and providing innovative solutions that benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment. For more information, please visit www.tropic.bio.
About GEiGS®
GEiGS® (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) technology utilizes established genome editing tools (e.g., CRISPR, TALEN) to make precise and specific changes to only a few nucleotides within non-coding genes of a host organism. These changes redirect RNA interference (RNAi, also Gene Silencing) activity of non-coding genes towards desired target genes, suppressing their activity. Target genes can include the host’s own genes, or gene-families, to finely tune their expression to a new desired level. Further, GEiGS® can be used to activate defense against pathogens and pests (e.g., viruses, insects and fungi) by redirecting RNAi activity towards pathogen and pest genes. GEiGS® does not depend on the introduction of foreign genes into the host genome, and thus the approach will be considered non-GMO in multiple regions. For more information, please visit www.geigs.com.
About Corteva
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that combines industry-leading innovation, high-touch customer engagement and operational execution to profitably deliver solutions for the world’s most pressing agriculture challenges. Corteva generates advantaged market preference through its unique distribution strategy, together with its balanced and globally diverse mix of seed, crop protection, and digital products and services. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and a technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to maximizing productivity for farmers, while working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.
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