Rosario, Argentina
October 6, 2015
Bioceres S.A., today announced that its joint venture with and Arcadia Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: RKDA), Verdeca, has received approval of its HB4 stress tolerance trait in soybeans by Argentina´s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. The President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, made the official announcement on Monday at a special event broadcasted nationwide. Verdeca’s completion of the regulatory process in Argentina for HB4 stress-tolerant soybeans is the world’s first for an abiotic stress tolerance trait in this crop.
In six seasons of multi-location field trials in Argentina and the United States, including three years of regulatory field trials, the HB4 trait has demonstrated yield increases of up to 14 percent under multiple stresses – including drought and low-water conditions – typically found in soybean production areas.
In addition to the Argentinean approvals, Verdeca completed the US Food and Drug Administration Early Food Safety Evaluation in August for HAHB4, the plant protein responsible for the HB4 stress tolerance trait.
About Bioceres
Bioceres is a fully integrated agricultural biotechnology company utilizing multiple technology platforms to develop and commercialize products that enhance crop productivity and expand feedstock applications. The company is owned by more than 250 of South America’s largest growers. Bioceres is a major shareholder of INDEAR (Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology of Rosario) and Bioceres Semillas. For more information visit www.bioceres.com.ar.
About Verdeca
Verdeca, a US-based joint venture between Bioceres and Arcadia Biosciences, develops and deregulates soybean varieties with next-generation agricultural technologies. Working in partnership with South American growers, Verdeca provides technologies that help increase crop productivity, making more efficient and sustainable use of land and water resources. For more information visit www.verdeca.com.