PlantArcBio and Tel Aviv University collaborate to develop innovative RNAi-based biological solutions for agriculture

Date:03-14-2022

PlantArcBio Ltd. (TASE: PLNT), an ag-biotech company engaged in research and development in the field of gene discovery and biological components for improving plant traits, intended primarily for use in the global agricultural industry, and Ramot, the Technology Transfer Company of Tel Aviv University, signed a collaboration agreement. The companies will collaborate in a first-of-its-kind joint study, combining PlantArcBio's RNAi technology with the unique lipid-based RNA delivery technology developed by Prof. Dan Peer. Prof. Peer is TAU's Vice President for R&D , and a pioneer using RNA to manipulate cells in cancer and other immune related diseases. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to develop a range of RNAi-based products for agricultural uses.

RNAi technology enables a temporary external disruption of RNA molecules, diminishing the amount of mRNA, and thus temporarily reducing the expression of specific genes, without modifying or genetically engineering the organism's DNA. PlantArcBio signed four agreements for development and commercialization in this field, including insect and pest control and crop improvement products. The company's strategic partners include ICL, Gadot-Agro, TMG and Seach Medical. To the best of its knowledge, PlantArcBio is one of the world's leaders and pioneers in developing RNAi-based products for agriculture.

The joint study will examine the efficacy of PlantArcBio's RNAi technology for agriculture, combined with Prof. Peer’s RNA delivery based on unique lipid molecules. Specifically, the research will focus on testing the joint technology's contribution to the stability of RNAi-based products and their ability to penetrate plants and insects. Research will be carried out both at PlantArcBio's Laboratories and at Prof. Dan Peer's Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine at Tel Aviv University.

Prof. Dan Peer, Vice President for Research and Development, and Head of the Center for Translational Medicine at Tel Aviv University: “We are pleased to partner with PlantArcBio and its breakthrough RNAi technology. This collaboration will allow us to evaluate the synergy between our respective technologies as well as the possibility for expanding the applications of our RNA delivery technology to the agricultural arena. We see great value in contributing to the development of RNAi-based products addressing global issues and providing an ecological and environmentally friendly solution to the global challenges of sustainability in agriculture and food security."

Keren Primor Cohen, CEO of Ramot: "Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University, has filed multiple patent applications to protect the RNA delivery technology and its applications. We believe that there is extensive commercial potential for this combined technology and welcome the collaboration with PlantArcBio, which aims to provide a pioneering solution to a crucial global challenge."

Dror Shalitin, founder and CEO of PlantArcBio: “It is an honor for us to partner with Ramot, and with Prof. Dan Peer, a world-renowned scientist in the field of RNA. We see this as an additional stamp of approval for our unique and innovative RNAi technology. We look forward to the results of the newly launched study, expected within approximately 12 months."

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