Des Moines, Iowa and Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina
February 11, 2008
DuPont (NYSE: DD) and
Precision
BioSciences, Inc., today announced a technology
collaboration to bring higher-yielding agricultural products to
the market faster. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement provides DuPont business
Pioneer Hi-Bred rights to
Precision's Directed Nuclease Editor™ (DNE) technology to
introduce and stack multiple genes that accelerate product
development in corn, soybeans and
other important agricultural crops. The technology aids in the
discovery of new traits and allows Pioneer scientists to insert,
remove and stack multiple traits at pre-selected sites in the
plant genome, shortening the time it takes to bring new,
high-value products to market.
"To meet growing demand for food, feed and fuel around the
world, we must increase agricultural productivity," said William
S. Niebur, vice president - DuPont Crop Genetics Research and
Development. "DNE technology gives us an important tool to
efficiently develop and rapidly deploy improved traits such as
drought resistance, pest resistance and increased yield into the
Pioneer lineup."
"DuPont is firmly established as a world leader in developing
and supplying seed and grain products, and we are pleased to
have such a strong partner in this field," said Matthew Kane,
Precision BioSciences CEO. "Precision's DNE technology is
becoming the gold standard in genome engineering and we believe
it will greatly enhance the ability to introduce, remove or
regulate genes of choice."
Precision's mission is to utilize its engineered
endonucleases to become the world leader in the field of genomic
molecular biology. Precision's proprietary DNE technology
enables the production of custom-made homing endonucleases that
can be used to safely target site-specific DNA breaks for genome
modifications. Precision BioSciences is focused on developing
its DNE technology to allow for the identification, insertion,
removal or regulation of virtually any gene for therapeutic,
agricultural and diagnostic applications.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to
advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, and
Pioneer® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or
its affiliates.
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