Evogene to establish validation capabilities for soybean cyst nematodes

Evogene intends to establish transformational and validation capabilities for biotechnology soybean through activities that will initially focus on soybean cyst nematode resistance.

This decision is under the guidance of Syngenta and pursuant to a recently signed amendment to the collaboration agreement targeting soybean cyst nematodes initially signed by the two companies in 2009, and extended in 2013.

Under multiple collaboration agreements with leading seed companies worldwide, Evogene has utilized its unique predictive discovery infrastructure and model plant validation systems, to undertake all of the first stage discovery responsibilities. The resulting candidate genes are then provided to its partners for transformation and validation in the target crop (such as soybean and corn), allowing further development under milestone and royalty bearing licenses from Evogene.

Under the amendment, validation activities for the candidate genes, which have already been discovered by Evogene under the nematode collaboration, will now be undertaken, at its expense and under Syngenta’s guidance, with enhanced commercial terms for the company. Moving into the area of gene transformation and validation in soybean represents an important capability to the company, in addition to its existing discovery capabilities, with respect to both its internal research efforts and future collaboration arrangements.