Origin Agritech developing nutrition enhanced corn using CRISPR gene editing

Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) (the "Company" or "Origin"), an agriculture technology company, announced that it is developing nutritionally enhanced corn using CRISPR technology.

Origin is currently in trials to develop new corn varieties that have been genetically engineered to have balanced amino acid content. If these trials are successfully completed, it will validate Origin's next generation methodology in applying CRISPR technology to develop new corn varieties. CRISPR gene editing does not introduce foreign DNA into the corn and as such more closely mimics gene mutations that frequently occur in nature. Additionally, the time and cost of developing genetically engineered corn using CRISPR is a fraction versus what it would be using traditional GMO technology.

Dr. Gengchen Han, Origin Agritech's Chairman, said, "We are very excited to be working on this industry leading application of CRISPR in agriculture. Our nutrition balanced corn trait would not only significantly reduce the need for costly additives in animal feed, it will also pave the way for many more applications of CRISPR technology."