2Blades licenses TAL code technology to Mendel

Date:10-11-2012

The Two Blades Foundation (2Blades) announced the completion of a non-exclusive license for the TAL code genome engineering technology to Mendel Biotechnology, Inc., a leading plant science company developing improved plant varieties and crop protection solutions for global agriculture.  The TAL code is a novel, simple type of DNA recognition motif found in bacterial proteins and was discovered by Ulla Bonas, Jens Boch, Thomas Lahaye and Sebesatian Schornack of Martin Luther University in Halle, Germany.  The TAL code technology accelerates trait improvement by enabling precise gene modifications at discrete sites in genomes.  Mendel will grant back improvements to the TAL technology to 2Blades in support of the Foundation’s work to improve food security in developing countries.  The financial terms of the license were not disclosed.

"One of Mendel’s strengths is the early application of new technologies, like the TAL code, for improving agriculture,” said Neal Gutterson, Mendel President & CEO. “We are continually expanding our technology platform to address emerging market opportunities beyond conventional biotechnology.”

"Mendel’s license further expands the range of companies making use of this powerful new technology to invent new products that meet the needs of a growing population”, said 2Blades Chief Operating Officer Diana Horvath.  “Our mission of making the TAL code broadly available for plant applications continues to be realized as we increase our licensing efforts to reach the entrepreneurial discovery sector.  It’s a tremendous benefit to 2Blades to gain access to improvements made by Mendel and our other licensees for our on-going programs to minimize crop losses due to diseases in subsistence agriculture.”