St. Louis, MO, USA
January 14, 2026

Cquesta, a leading agricultural biotechnology company, today announced a research license agreement with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center for advanced root genetic technology developed by Dr. Christopher Topp. This strategic collaboration strengthens Cquesta’s innovation pipeline and positions the company to deliver next-generation corn hybrids that meet global demand for sustainable, high-yield crops.
 
Dr. Topp’s technology provides specific alterations of root architecture, enabling breeders to select traits that improve yield, nutrient uptake, water use efficiency, and stress resilience. This capability complements Cquesta’s proprietary genetic traits licensed from the Salk Institute, which are designed to increase carbon capture and root biomass. Together, these technologies create a powerful platform for developing corn varieties that enhance productivity and improve resilience while reducing environmental impact.
 
"This agreement is a critical milestone in our growth strategy," said Cquesta President and CSO Dr. Tim Ulmasov. "By combining Dr. Topp’s innovation with Cquesta’s product development engine we are building a powerful solution to help farmers adapt to climate challenges and improve profitability through higher yields."
 
"We are excited to see our research translated into real-world solutions," said Danforth Center President, Dr. Giles Oldroyd. "Cquesta’s commitment to innovation and sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission to improve the human condition through plant science."
 
Market Opportunity
Global acreage planted to corn currently sits at >500 million acres and is expected to grow by 2030 driven by population growth, biofuel production, and livestock feed requirements. At the same time, climate volatility and resource constraints are creating urgent needs for crops that deliver higher yields with lower environmental impact. Cquesta’s integrated platform—combining advanced genetics and root architecture insights—positions the company to capture significant value in the $25+ billion global corn seed market while contributing to sustainable agriculture and carbon reduction goals.
 
About Cquesta
Spun out of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies’ Harnessing Plants Initiative, Cquesta is an agricultural biotechnology company dedicated to developing higher yield, climate-resilient crop solutions that also have the potential to reduce global CO2 levels at a gigaton scale. By leveraging cutting-edge genetic innovations and advanced phenotyping technologies, Cquesta delivers next-generation crop varieties and hybrids designed to meet the challenges of a changing climate and growing global food demand. For more information, visit [www.cquesta.com].
 
About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. The Center’s research, education and outreach efforts focus on food security and environmental sustainability, positioning the St. Louis region as a global leader in plant science. The Center is supported by funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, The Gates Foundation and the generosity of individuals, corporation and foundation donors. For more information, visit danforthcenter.org. 

Website: https://cquesta.com/

Published: January 14, 2026