Innolea created to focus on genetics and genomics of oil crops

Since January 1, 2019, the research activities in oilcrop genetics and genomics of the company Biogemma moved to a new company, Innolea, under the control of three major French seed companies in oil crops: Euralis Semences, Limagrain, RAGT Semences and the innovation fund for oil and protein crops, Sofiprotéol.

Innolea is supported by experienced teams and know-how developed for more than 20 years by Biogemma and benefit of the infrastructure of Mondonville (Haute-Garonne) site, which is now the headquarter, as well as the support of its shareholders.

Innolea’s direction was given to Bruno Grèzes-Besset who was research coordinator in Biogemma, and the presidency to Jean-Marc Ferullo, the research director of Euralis Semences.

Biogemma’s research programs in rapeseed and sunflower, the main oil crops in France and Europe, are continued in Innolea. The sunflower program is led by Delphine Fleury and the rapeseed program by Sébastien Faure.

To support the French oil industry, Innolea’s activities focus on the genetics of traits of interest with direct applications to breeding new varieties. The main research areas will be the exploration of genetic diversity of the main oil crops of France and Europe and the characterisation of beneficial genes.

By creating this new company, the French oil and protein industry and the seeds companies demonstrate their engagement in supporting competitive research in applied genomics and pre-breeding. This leading-edge knowledge will enable offering new varieties to the French market, with improved agronomy and particularly plant resistance to diseases and pests.