AgroPages-Dow AgroSciences and ICS-CAAS partner to accelerate rice product R&D in China-Agricultural news

Dow AgroSciences and ICS-CAAS partner to accelerate rice product R&D in China

Dow AgroSciences LLC recently signed collaboration agreement with the Institute of Crop Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ICS-CAAS). Under the agreement, Dow AgroSciences grants ICS-CAAS a royalty-free, non-transferable research and commercialization license for its proprietary EXZACT™ Precision Genome Editing Technology to be used in rice in China. Dow AgroSciences and ICS-CAAS scientists will collaboratively develop an industry-leading rice genome editing technology platform.

The EXZACT Precision Genome Editing Platform will enable ICS-CAAS scientists to capitalize on their significant investment and technical expertise in rice genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and cell biology as well as accelerate integration of the scientific knowledge generated in rice to rapidly develop valuable products for China. Dow AgroSciences has developed the EXZACT Precision Technology platform under an exclusive license and collaboration agreement in plants with Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. Dow AgroSciences and ICS-CAAS scientists will work together to make sure that the expertise and strengths of both parties are best combined to accelerate rice research and product development in China. This is part of Dow AgroSciences’ commitment to providing innovative and sustainable solutions to bolster food security and food safety in China.

ICS-CAAS indicated this collaboration is a milestone, which will accelerate the development of rice genome editing technology platform in China. It will have significant impact in developing new agronomic traits in rice.

“Our collaboration with ICS-CAAS, a world-renowned agricultural science research organization, is one with great promise,” said Tim Hassinger, President and CEO of Dow AgroSciences. “We have a long-term commitment in China as a strategic partner for agricultural sustainability and best practices. The EXZACT Precision Technology collaboration with CAAS is a strong example of this commitment, which will significantly enable Chinese scientists to improve rice research and product development, thus benefiting China’s long term food security.”