Cellectis SA, a biotechnology company dedicated to rational genome engineering and specialized in DNA recombination and reprogramming in living organisms, announced today that the company has signed a license
under the Meganculease Recombination System with BASF Plant Science. The agreement is following the evaluation and use of Cellectis’ proprietary Meganuclease for the deletion/excision of nucleotide sequences, such as marker genes, in plants for agricultural and nutritional applications. Financial terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We are extremely pleased with the license that is a strong acknowledgment of the importance of gene targeting in the plants” says Mrs. Pelletier-Bressac, VP Business Development of Cellectis. She added. “The fact that the two previous evaluations have been transformed in a license is really positive and demonstrates the potential industrial value of the Meganuclease technology as a marker excision technology in crops”.

To exploit the potential of biotechnology, BASF, a leading player in agricultural products and fine chemicals, established BASF Plant Science as its proper plant biotechnology company in 1998. BASF Plant Science operates a research and development platform in Europe and North America, where more than 450 employees are developing products in the following areas: crops for a more efficient agriculture and for the production of renewable raw materials as well as plants for healthier nutrition. Examples are plants with higher vitamin content, or with omega-3-fatty acids that can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. In 2004, BASF had approximately 82,000 employees and posted sales of more than ! 37 billion. 

Cellectis SA was founded in 2000, as a spin-off from the Institut Pasteur. Today, Cellectis is the world leader in applying the technology of Meganuclease Recombination Systems to in vivo genome engineering and genome surgery. The company is focused on the research and development of custom-made Meganucleases for in vivo DNA interventions and also provides new tools for rational reverse genetics and targeted recombination. Cellectis develops Meganucleases that can induce unique site-directed double-strand breaks in a living cell, and can be used for biotechnological and therapeutical applications. The company is focusing on bringing "genome surgery" to clinic as a genuine new molecular medicine approach.