Wageningen, The Netherlands
June 16, 2014

On June 21, 2014 KeyGene will start celebrating its 25th anniversary. In a quarter of a century KeyGene has grown from a small biotech start-up to an international innovative crop improvement company at two locations in Wageningen and Rockville (MD, USA) and over 130 employees.

In the 1980s a number of Dutch seed companies realized that plant biotechnology could significantly contribute to their further development. As a result, in 1989 KeyGene was founded. At the time it is a unique collaboration between Royal Sluis, Cebeco Trade Council, RZ Research, De Ruiter Seeds and Enza Seeds.

The goal of the collaboration being: create synergy and enhance efficiency in molecular breeding and research programs of these seed companies.

KeyGene starts with offices at the Keijenbergseweg in Wageningen. In 1991 KeyGene moves to larger premises at the Agro Business Park where in 1991 KeyGene's unique AFLP marker technology is invented. This technology makes it possible to generate unique DNA fingerprints of a plant, so breeders of commercial crops have interesting information from these plants at their disposal.

Over the years, the composition of the group of shareholders has changed. In 2001 the strategic decision was made to work only on vegetable crops with the shareholders.

Now, 25 years later, there still is this unique partnership concept between the shareholders. KeyGene conducted innovative research for its shareholder from the first hour: Enza Seeds and also for Rijk Zwaan, Vilmorin & Cie (France) and Takii & Co (Japan). KeyGene is proud to be part of this consortium of major players in the seed industry: together they produce vegetable seeds for a significant part of the world market.

In addition KeyGene has expanded its innovative power outside the vegetable crop seeds and now works with a wide range of breeding, agro and “food” companies. KeyGene's focus is on the so-called 6F crops: Food, Feed, Fiber, Fuel, Flowers and Fun. Doing molecular genetic research still represents the heart of the company. The route which KeyGene has chosen is that of the green gene revolution. Of the two directions which are known in plant biotechnology: the one of genetic modification, improving crops by inserting DNA of another organism and the natural way, KeyGene has chosen the last one. KeyGene strength lies in improving crops by ‘marker assisted breeding, by making use of genetic diversity which is present already in nature and following the genes at DNA level, breeders can make crosses quicker and more directed.

In the meantime it has been proved that this way is very successful. KeyGene’s strength lies in providing integrated solutions to its customers: combining its technology innovations with knowledge of plant traits and crops for crop improvement, because that is the ultimate goal.

Arjen van Tunen, CEO of KeyGene: "In 25 years a lot has changed. The world is facing major challenges. The world population is growing rapidly, the climate is changing and there is a great shortage of natural resources like water, energy and land. In short that means: Agri- and horticulture are expected to produce more and with better quality while using less fertilizers and less land. KeyGene would like to contribute to this with its innovative strength and its ability to come up with unconventional solutions."

The anniversary of KeyGene is celebrated through a jubilee year with several activities. On June 19 KeyGene presents itself to more than 100 of its customers and business relations. On June 20 a mini symposium will be held for regional and local relations, (former) employees and family. The symposium ‘from plant to tire’ gives an insight in KeyGene’s research in Dandelion. The research aims at extracting rubber from dandelions for producing tires as an alternative source for the increasing shortage of rubber and increasing pressure on the production of rubber in Asia. The interest for this symposium is big, over 400 visitors are expected.

For more information about the anniversary year, please visit: www.keygene.com

25 years of sustainable molecular genetic innovations for crop improvements KeyGene is a privately owned, innovative molecular genetics Ag Biotech company with a primary focus on the improvement of 6F (Food, Feed, Fiber, Fuel, Flowers and Fun) crops. KeyGene’s passion is a Green Gene Revolution approach to explore and exploit natural genetic variation in vegetable and other 6F crops. KeyGene delivers sustainable responses to the world’s needs for yield stability & quality of vegetable and field crops. KeyGene supports its strategic partners with cutting edge breeding technologies and plant-based trait platforms, with more than 135 employees from all over the world, with state of the art facilities and equipment.
KeyGene has its headquarters in Wageningen, the Netherlands, a subsidiary in Rockville, USA and a Joint Lab with the Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences in Shanghai, China.

Website: http://www.keygene.com

Published: June 16, 2014