Precision BioSciences, Agrivida collaborate on trait development

Date:03-12-2014

Precision BioSciences and Agrivida recently revealed that they have entered into a trait development collaboration based on precise gene modifications made possible by Precision's Directed Nuclease Editor™ (DNE) Technology. The collaboration recently delivered the first modified genes that are the subject of Agrivida commercialization efforts in the area of animal nutrition. Financial and other terms were not disclosed.

Agrivida is very pleased with the functional performance of Precision's DNE technology. "The efficiency, ease-of-use, and the demonstrated utility of the technology confirm the important role that precise genome engineering will have in the future of agricultural biotechnology," said Mike Lanahan, Agrivida VP of Business Development, Animal Nutrition. "Agrivida anticipates ongoing trait development using the technology in the collaboration with Precision."

"Precision is excited by Agrivida's results and we are thrilled to be working with an innovator in animal nutrition such as Agrivida," said Matthew Kane, Precision CEO. "We are optimistic that the combination Agrivida's unique understanding of plant metabolism and Precision's DNE gene editing technology can be utilized to develop a strong pipeline of greatly needed agricultural product candidates."

Dan Meagher, Agrivida CEO, said, "The opportunity for improving the nutritional characteristics of crops for the dairy and beef market segments is significant. Our results indicate that Precision technology has delivered a compositional modification that will benefit the industry by increasing the productivity of ruminant animals that consume plants expressing our trait."