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The project aims to revolutionize agricultural sustainability and yield through cutting-edge gene editing approach.

September 26, 2023 – [Norwich, United Kingdom] –Tropic, a pioneering agricultural biotechnology startup company, announced today a strategic collaboration with Corteva Agriscience, a global leader in agricultural solutions, to harness the power of Tropic’s proprietary Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing (GEiGS®) technology for the development of non-transgenic disease resistance traits in corn and soybean.

Through this collaboration, the companies aim to address one of the most pressing challenges in agriculture – controlling disease threats that can significantly impact crop productivity and food security, while promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture. Corteva’s industry-leading expertise in gene editing combined with Tropic’s innovative GEiGS® technology will leverage advanced gene-editing techniques to enhance plant performance, boost resistance to diseases, and reduce environmental impact.

Commenting on this, Gilad Gershon, CEO, Tropic, said, “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by farmers in the battle against crop diseases. Our GEiGS® technology offers a precise and powerful solution to enhance resistance against pests, fungal and viral diseases, and together with Corteva, we are excited to be driving tangible, positive change in agriculture.”

This joint effort will work to develop effective and durable disease-resistance traits against a devastating range of pathogens. By integrating these GEiGS®-mediated traits into Corteva’s premium corn and soybean genetics, farmers stand to benefit from increased yield potential and a reduction in the environmental impact associated with traditional disease control methods.

“As a leader in ag innovation, Corteva is pleased to collaborate with leading start-up companies like Tropic. We are excited to expand our world-class gene editing capabilities with Tropic’s GEiGS® technology to develop a diverse set of product concepts across our corn and soybean portfolios,” said Tom Greene, Sr. Director of External Innovation Investment at Corteva Agriscience. “By combining our strengths, we are striving to empower farmers with more resilient and productive crops that will not only support their livelihoods but also contribute to a more sustainable future for food and agriculture production.”

Both companies are committed to ensuring that the results of this collaboration contribute to global food security and sustainable agricultural practices, reflecting their shared dedication to innovation, research, and development that benefit people and the planet.

About Tropic
Tropic is a pioneering agricultural biotechnology company dedicated to the development of healthier, more robust, high-performing varieties of tropical crops with a vision to become a world leading technology-forward tropical seeds business. The company’s core crop portfolio focusses on banana, coffee and rice, which together provide a source of livelihood to billions of people worldwide. Tropic utilizes its GEiGS® platform and other cutting-edge technologies to develop improved crops with increased disease resistance, higher yields, and environmentally sustainable traits. By harnessing the power of advanced genetic engineering, Tropic is committed to addressing global agricultural challenges and providing innovative solutions that benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment. For more information, please visit www.tropic.bio.

About GEiGS®
GEiGS® (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) technology utilizes established genome editing tools (e.g., CRISPR, TALEN) to make precise and specific changes to only a few nucleotides within non-coding genes of a host organism. These changes redirect RNA interference (RNAi, also Gene Silencing) activity of non-coding genes towards desired target genes, suppressing their activity. Target genes can include the host’s own genes, or gene-families, to finely tune their expression to a new desired level. Further, GEiGS® can be used to activate defense against pathogens and pests (e.g., viruses, insects and fungi) by redirecting RNAi activity towards pathogen and pest genes. GEiGS® does not depend on the introduction of foreign genes into the host genome, and thus the approach will be considered non-GMO in multiple regions. For more information, please visit www.geigs.com.

About Corteva

Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that combines industry-leading innovation, high-touch customer engagement and operational execution to profitably deliver solutions for the world’s most pressing agriculture challenges. Corteva generates advantaged market preference through its unique distribution strategy, together with its balanced and globally diverse mix of seed, crop protection, and digital products and services. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and a technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to maximizing productivity for farmers, while working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.

Follow Corteva on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “expects,” “will,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “projects,” “targets,” “estimates” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about Corteva’s strategy for growth; product development; regulatory approvals; market position; environmental, social and governance progress; and the anticipated benefits of it technology investments and collaborations are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events which may not be accurate or realized. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Corteva’s control. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Corteva’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Corteva is unable to currently identify or that Corteva does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business.

Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of Corteva’s management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Corteva disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law. A detailed discussion of some of the significant risks and uncertainties which may cause results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the “Risk Factors” section of Corteva’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as modified by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Our team at @Tropic is pleased to share the news that our non-browning banana received a non-GMO exemption decision from Philippines Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry.  This is the first gene-edited product to go through the Philippine’s newly defined gene editing regulatory determination process.  With  this determination the Tropic non-browning can be freely imported and propagated in the Philippines..

Tropic’s Chief Technology Officer Dr. Ofir Meir stated,  “The Philippines government has implemented a science-based, transparent, and efficient process for assessing the safety of gene-edited plants.  This is exactly the type of system that encourages companies like Tropic to invest in innovative technologies to develop sustainable solutions for Filipino farmers.”   

Tropic’s non-browning bananas have the potential to significantly reduce food waste and CO2 emissions along the supply chain by more than 25%, as over 60% of exported bananas go to waste before reaching the consumer. This innovative product can support a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 2 million passenger vehicles from the road each year.

Tropic plans to introduce several important products in the Philippines over the next decade, starting with the non-browning banana. The Philippines is the top producer and exporter of bananas in Southeast Asia, but its global market share has decreased due to the prevalence of Panama disease Tropic Race 4, which threatens 80% of global banana production. Tropic is using gene editing technology to develop disease-resistant bananas that can solve for Panama Disease Tropical Race 4. The clear and predictable regulatory framework for gene-edited products established by the Filipino government will encourage investment and R&D in the country’s banana sector.

At Tropic, we are driven by the impact of our work, specifically by improving the livelihood of growers and developing plant varieties which address our planet’s most pressing challenges.

 

About Tropic

Tropic is a pioneering agricultural-biotechnology company dedicated to the development of healthier, more robust, high-performing varieties of tropical crops with a vision to becoming a world leading technology-forward seed business. The company’s core crop portfolio focusses on banana, coffee and rice, which together provide a source of livelihood to over half a billion people worldwide. The booming population brings a drastic food security and supply crisis which is intensified by climate change and economic factors.

Tropic is working closely with growers to address these critical pressures and, in doing so, promotes consumer wellbeing and positive grower economics, while addressing crop stability and unmet nutritional needs. The company’s core mission is developing sustainable crop products better suited to the local growing environment but also easier to cultivate, more profitable for farmers and healthier for consumers – thereby benefitting the entire food supply chain.

PRESS RELEASE

British Sugar, a leading producer of sugar for the UK food and beverage markets, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Tropic to deploy our ground-breaking GEiGS^® technology in sugar beet. The program is set to develop high-performance sugar beet varieties that can sustainably withstand viral diseases, doing away with the need for environmentally damaging pesticides.

Climate change presents critical challenges and has been implicated as a driver for crop losses due to increasingly frequent outbreaks of pests and diseases. One such problem is Virus Yellows (VY) disease of sugar beet, which has caused unprecedented crop damage with growers reporting yield losses of up to 80% in recent years. VY disease is transmitted by aphids which have traditionally been controlled by neonicotinoid insecticide treatments. However, concerns about the impact of these insecticides on other insects have prompted regulatory changes severely restricting their use.

“We have a need to develop more sustainable solutions for sugar beet growers. In securing long-term sugar beet yields through disease-resistant seed, this venture will play a crucial role in reducing our reliance on pesticides, while safeguarding domestic sugar beet farming and the livelihoods of several growers and communities in the UK” says Daniel Green, Agricultural Director at British Sugar.

This synergistic alliance between two British companies will focus on accelerating delivery of improved sugar beet varieties through Tropic’s proprietary GEiGS^® platform.

“The GEiGS^® technology, which combines elements of precision gene editing and a naturally occurring immunity mechanism known as gene silencing, is a game changing platform allowing us to develop crops that are better able to withstand disease- and climate- pressures to enable much more sustainable cropping practices” says Ofir Meir, Chief Technology Officer at Tropic.

 

About British Sugar

British Sugar, the leading sugar producer in Britain, is a homegrown industry working in partnership with over 3,000 growers and customers to deliver world-class product worldwide, including over 50% of sugar consumed through the British and Irish food & beverage industry. The company boasts sole processing rights of the UK’s entire sugar beet crop, turning over around eight million tonnes of sugar beet and producing up to 1.2 million tonnes of sugar each year. Their innovative approach to manufacturing also enables opportunities to create a range of co-products from power generation and bioethanol to animal feed and much more.

 

About Tropic

Tropic is a pioneering agricultural-biotechnology company dedicated to the development of healthier, more robust, high-performing varieties of tropical crops with a vision to becoming a world leading technology-forward seed business. The company’s core crop portfolio focusses on banana, coffee and rice, which together provide a source of livelihood to over half a billion people worldwide. The booming population brings a drastic food security and supply crisis which is intensified by climate change and economic factors.

Tropic is working closely with growers to address these critical pressures and, in doing so, promotes consumer wellbeing and positive grower economics, while addressing crop stability and unmet nutritional needs. The company’s core mission is developing sustainable crop products better suited to the local growing environment but also easier to cultivate, more profitable for farmers and healthier for consumers – thereby benefitting the entire food supply chain.

 

About GEiGS^®

GEiGS^® (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) technology utilizes established genome editing tools (e.g., CRISPR, TALEN) to make precise and specific changes to only a few nucleotides within non-coding genes of a host organism. These changes redirect RNA interference (RNAi, also Gene Silencing) activity of non-coding genes towards desired target genes, suppressing their activity. Target genes can include the host’s own genes, or gene-families, to finely tune their expression to a new desired level. Further, GEiGS^® can be used to activate defense against pathogens and pests (e.g., viruses, insects and fungi) by redirecting RNAi activity towards pathogen and pest genes. GEiGS® does not depend on the introduction of foreign genes into the host genome, and thus the approach will be considered as non-GMO in multiple regions.

For more information, please visit the GEiGS^®  website

JOINT PRESS RELEASE:

Genus Plc (“Genus”), a world leader in animal genetic improvement, and Tropic, a pioneering agricultural-biotechnology company, today announce that they are extending and expanding their collaboration for the application of Tropic’s Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing (GEiGS^®) technology in porcine and bovine genetics.

Since the collaboration started in June 2020, Tropic has delivered multiple sets of GEiGS^® solutions for Genus to evaluate, which is a critical step in the development of resistance traits to several devastating livestock diseases. Experimental validations of the GEiGS^® solutions conducted by Genus’ scientists have demonstrated effective silencing of specific target genes.

The extended collaboration will enable Genus and Tropic to explore additional traits that will be based on the GEiGS^® platform, to expand animal welfare traits in bovine and porcine species.

Elena Rice, Chief Scientific Officer at Genus stated: “We are excited to continue our collaboration with Tropic Biosciences and expand validation of GEiGS^® solutions to address critical diseases in animals.”

Jack Peart, Chief Business Officer at Tropic Biosciences commented: “Our progress with Genus demonstrates the power of the GEiGS^® technology in addressing critical diseases in animals, adding to the growing list of animal and plant species where GEiGS^® is demonstrating its effectiveness. We are excited to continue the collaboration with the incredible Genus team, and to further harness cutting edge innovation to improve animal welfare and promote sustainable practices in the industry.”

For further information, please contact us.

 

About Genus Plc

Genus is a world-leading animal genetics company. Genus creates advances to animal breeding and genetic improvement by applying biotechnology and sells added value products for livestock farming and food producers. Its technology is applicable across livestock species and is currently commercialised by Genus in the dairy, beef and pork food production sectors.

Genus’s worldwide sales are made in over seventy-five countries under the trademarks ‘ABS’ (dairy and beef cattle) and ‘PIC’ (pigs) and comprise semen, embryos and breeding animals with superior genetics. Genus’s customers’ animals produce offspring with greater production efficiency, and quality, and use these to supply the global dairy and meat supply chains.

The Group’s competitive edge has been created from the ownership and control of proprietary lines of breeding animals, the biotechnology used to improve them and its global supply chain, technical service and sales and distribution network. With headquarters in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, Genus companies operate in over twenty-five countries on six continents, with research laboratories located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

This announcement is available on the Genus website www.genusplc.com

 

About Tropic

Tropic is one of the leading agricultural gene-editing companies globally and focuses on the development and commercialization of high-performing varieties of tropical crops, namely coffee, bananas and rice. It employs over 130 industry-leading professionals

For more information, please visit www.tropic.bio

 

About GEiGS^®

GEiGS^® (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) technology utilizes established genome editing tools (e.g. CRISPR, TALEN) to make precise and specific changes to only a few nucleotides within non-coding genes of a host organism. These changes redirect RNA interference (RNAi, also Gene Silencing) activity of non-coding genes towards desired target genes, suppressing their activity. Target genes can include the host’s own genes, or gene-families, to finely tune their expression to a new desired level. Further, GEiGS^® can be used to activate defense against pathogens and pests (e.g. viruses, insects and fungi) by redirecting RNAi activity towards pathogen and pest genes. GEiGS^® does not depend on the introduction of foreign genes into the host genome, and thus the approach will be considered as non-GMO in multiple regions.

PRESS RELEASE:

Tropic Biosciences Obtains Positive Response from USDA-APHIS on Regulatory Status of a Product Developed Using its GEiGS^® (Gene Editing Induced Gene Silencing) Technology

Tropic Biosciences (“Tropic”), a pioneering agricultural-biotechnology company dedicated to the development of high-performance tropical crops, announced today that it has received confirmation that potatoes with reduced browning, developed by GEiGS^®-mediated silencing of polyphenol oxidase-5 (Ppo5) transcripts, were determined to be exempted from regulation by the USDA. Tropic made a submission to the USDA requesting confirmation of regulatory status for this product in May 2021.  The USDA-APHIS response indicated that the plant lines do not meet the definition of a regulated article under 7 CFR Part 340 regulations. Tropic’s submission along with the USDA-APHIS BRS response is posted on the USDA’s website.

“This is the first regulatory assessment of a product based on our proprietary GEiGS^® technology and the confirmation that this product is not regulated by USDA is an important step in bringing our crop products to market”, said Gilad Gershon, CEO of Tropic Biosciences.

Tropic Biosciences is using GEiGS^® to develop valuable traits in banana, coffee and rice. As an example, GEiGS^® enables Tropic Biosciences to develop novel banana varieties that are resistant to Panama Disease (TR4), a devastating fungal disease that threatens global banana production. Tropic Biosciences has also entered into licensing agreements with multiple leading global agribusinesses enabling them to use the platform to develop disease resistance, quality and welfare traits across crop, livestock and aquaculture species.

 

About Tropic Biosciences

Tropic Biosciences is one of the leading agricultural gene-editing companies globally, and focuses on the development and commercialization of high-performing varieties of tropical crops, namely coffee, bananas and rice. It employs over 110 industry-leading professionals and is headquartered at the renowned Norwich Research Park.

For more information please visit www.tropicbioscience.com

 

About GEiGS^®

GEiGS^® (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) technology utilizes established genome editing tools (e.g. CRISPR, TALEN) to make precise and specific changes to only a few nucleotides within non-coding genes of a host organism. These changes redirect RNA interference (RNAi, also Gene Silencing) activity of non-coding genes towards desired target genes, suppressing their activity.

Target genes can include the host’s own genes, or gene-families, to finely tune their expression to a new desired level. Further, GEiGS^® can be used to activate defense against pathogens and pests (e.g. viruses and fungi) by redirecting RNAi activity towards pathogen and pest genes. GEiGS^® does not depend on the introduction of foreign genes into the host genome, and thus the approach will be considered as non-GMO in multiple regions.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE:

eggXYt licenses the GEiGS™ Technology Platform from Tropic Biosciences in a groundbreaking project to develop resistance against Avian Influenza Virus in chickens

eggXYt, a biotechnology company revolutionizing the livestock industry, and Tropic Biosciences (“Tropic”), the pioneering agricultural-biotechnology company, today announce a license agreement to apply Tropic’s Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing (GEiGS™) technology to develop genetic resistance in chickens against Avian Influenza virus.

Avian Influenza virus is one of the deadliest and most costly avian diseases. The 2015 outbreak in the U.S., for example, led to the slaughter of 50 million poultry and is estimated to have had an economic cost of $3.2 billion. Outbreaks not only disrupt the protein supply chain, but they also threaten human health as the disease can be transferred from birds to humans and has been documented to lead to severe illness and fatality.
​
eggXYt brings to the collaboration its proven expertise in accelerating gene editing solutions to disrupt the poultry sector. Over the last four years, eggXYt has developed its flagship product, an innovative solution to determine the sex of chicks before incubation, which is set to save the 4 billion male chicks in the egg layer industry that are currently culled each year due to their inability to lay eggs and because it is not economical to raise them for meat. Through the application of GEiGS^®, eggXYt will expand its poultry portfolio beyond its initial product and into the field of animal health. eggXYt has recently moved to a state of the art R&D facility and is set to launch a fundraising round, which will support its R&D programs and path to commercialization.
​
Yehuda Elram, CEO & Co-Founder of eggXYt commented, “Our primary goal is to improve animal welfare and efficiency within the poultry industry, and we are excited to embark on this project that broadens our platform of gene editing solutions for animal health.” He went on to say “Following the COVID-19 outbreak, we are all very mindful of the threat of zoonotic diseases to human health and so we are especially motivated to embark on a project that may help to prevent further pandemics.”

Tropic Biosciences developed GEiGS^® to support development of its own tropical crops, for example banana plants that are resistant to Panama disease, a devastating fungal disease that is threatening production globally. Recognizing the wider potential of GEiGS^® beyond tropical crops, Tropic has been making the proprietary technology platform commercially available to other innovative companies, including world leaders in the crop and livestock breeding industries.
​
Eyal Maori, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of Tropic Biosciences, commented: “The GEiGS^® platform harnesses naturally occurring defense mechanisms to directly attack disease agents, solving the heavy burden of target gene discovery for gene editing applications. This is driving extensive interest in the technology from outside parties and we are delighted to partner with eggXYt and other innovative companies from the broader agricultural and life-sciences industries.”
​
Tropic and eggXYt’s collaboration comes at an exciting time for gene editing, just after Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of CRISPR.

 

About eggXYt

eggXYt’s mission is to enable a sustainable future in the livestock industry. eggXYt’s flagship product is a proprietary CRISPR based technology, which allows for non-invasive pre-incubation sex detection in chicken eggs – saving 4 billion male chicks from being unnecessarily hatched and disposed of each year, saving the industry billions of dollars and adding 4 billion eggs to the global supply. eggXYt was recently selected as a Sustainable Food Systems Challenge Solver team by MIT Solve. eggXYt was founded in 2016 and is based in Jerusalem & Tel Aviv, Israel.

For more information, please visit  or contact.

 

About Tropic Biosciences

Tropic Biosciences is one of the leading agricultural gene-editing companies globally, and focuses on the development and commercialization of high-performing varieties of tropical crops, namely coffee, bananas and rice. It employs over 80 industry-leading professionals and is headquartered at the renowned Norwich Research Park.

For more information please visit www.tropicbioscience.com or contact jack@tropicbioscience.com.

 

About GEiGS^®

GEiGS^® (Genome Editing induced Gene Silencing) technology utilizes established genome editing tools (e.g. CRISPR, TALEN) to make precise and specific changes to only a few nucleotides within non-coding genomic locations of a host organism. These changes redirect RNA interference (RNAi, also Gene Silencing) activity of non-coding genes towards desired target genes, actively suppressing their activity.

Target genes can include the host’s own genes, or gene-families, to finely tune their expression to a new desired level. Further, GEiGS^® can be used to activate defense against pathogens and pests (e.g.viruses and fungi) by redirecting RNAi activity towards pathogen and pest genes. GEiGS^® does not depend on the introduction of foreign genes into the host genome, and thus the approach will be considered as non-GMO in multiple regions.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE:

Genus Plc and Tropic Biosciences announce strategic collaboration

Genus Plc (“Genus”), a world leader in animal genetic improvement, and Tropic Biosciences (“Tropic”), the pioneering agricultural-biotechnology company, today announce a collaboration to explore the application of Tropic’s Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing (GEiGS^®) technology in porcine and bovine genetics. The collaboration with Tropic is a welcome addition to Genus’s internal discovery initiatives and strategic collaborations.

This new collaboration will enable Genus and Tropic to employ the GEiGS^® platform in Genus’s investigational research programmes, ultimately aimed at accelerating genetic improvement for farmers and tackling animal disease and suffering.

The collaboration will see Genus and Tropic working together to design, investigate and develop new products for a number of applications over the coming years. Tropic’s research team will continue to provide support and regular input in a collaborative effort that highlights the strengths and values of both companies.

Elena Rice, Chief Scientific Officer at Genus stated: “We are excited to work with Tropic Biosciences and explore the application of new technologies to improve the sustainability of protein production.”

Jack Peart, Chief Commercial Officer at Tropic Biosciences commented: “Our collaboration with Genus represents an exciting new partnership with a world leader in animal genetic improvement. We look forward to working with the Genus team to explore the potential of GEiGS^® in addressing critical disease challenges in the livestock space.”

For further information, please contact:

Genus plc

Dr. Elena Rice
Chief Scientific Officer
Tel: +1 608 846 3721
E-mail: elena.rice@genusplc.com
​
Mark Birri
Strategy & Business Development Director
Tel: +44 (0)7469 075 984
E-mail: mark.birri@genusplc.com

Tropic Biosciences

Dr. Jack Peart
Chief Commercial Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 7561 438962
E-mail: jack@tropicbioscience.com

 

About Genus Plc

Genus is a world-leading animal genetics company. Genus creates advances to animal breeding and genetic improvement by applying biotechnology and sells added value products for livestock farming and food producers. Its technology is applicable across livestock species and is currently commercialized by Genus in the dairy, beef and pork food production sectors.

Genus’s worldwide sales are made in over seventy-five countries under the trademarks ‘ABS’ (dairy and beef cattle) and ‘PIC’ (pigs) and comprise semen, embryos and breeding animals with superior genetics. Genus’s customers’ animals produce offspring with greater production efficiency, and quality, and use these to supply the global dairy and meat supply chains.

The Group’s competitive edge has been created from the ownership and control of proprietary lines of breeding animals, the biotechnology used to improve them and its global supply chain, technical service and sales and distribution network.

With headquarters in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, Genus companies operate in over
twenty-five countries on six continents, with research laboratories located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

This announcement is available on the Genus website www.genusplc.com

 

About Tropic Biosciences

Tropic Biosciences is a UK-based biotechnology company focused on utilizing advanced plant breeding and gene editing technologies to develop high-performing commercial tropical crops, namely coffee and bananas. It employs over 75 industry-leading professionals and is headquartered at the renowned Norwich Research Park, where it has access to excellent facilities and a highly qualified workforce.

For more information please visit www.tropicbioscience.com

 

About GEiGS^®

GEiGS^® technology utilizes established genome editing tools to make precise and specific changes to only a few nucleotides within non-coding endogenous genomic locations of a host organism. These changes redirect RNA interference (RNAi, also Gene Silencing) activity of non-coding genes towards target genes, including those belonging to pathogens and pests. The approach does not depend on the introduction of foreign genes into the host genome.
​
Tropic Biosciences developed GEiGS^® to support its own product development, for example to produce lines of banana that are resistant to Panama disease, a devastating fungal disease that is threatening production globally. Recognising GEiGS^® wider potential beyond tropical crops, Tropic has been working towards making their proprietary technology commercially available to other innovative companies.

Photo: Tropic Biosciences partners with BASF to develop traits addressing growers’ most critical challenges in protecting crops. Photo credit: BASF SE

Norwich, U.K., July 23 2020:

Tropic Biosciences announces their research agreement with BASF to utilize Tropic’s ground-breaking GEiGS^® (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) technology to develop traits to address growers’ most critical challenges in protecting crops.
​
The collaboration applies the Tropic Bioscience GEiGS^® platform within BASF’s strategic crop varieties and utilizes BASF’s expertise in the development of agricultural traits. “Our R&D teams must continue to innovate to address the most pressing challenges in agriculture, so we welcome this new tool to accelerate the delivery of sustainable trait solutions to farmers,” said Brian Vande Berg, Vice President of Trait Research in BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division. Under the agreement, Tropic Biosciences will generate GEiGS^® candidates that have the possibility to enter the BASF discovery pipeline for development of disease and pest control traits.

Jack Peart, Chief Commercial Officer of Tropic Biosciences, commented: “We are excited to make the GEiGS^® platform available for use by other companies and we are delighted to see it being applied not only in tropical crops but now in row crops through our collaboration with BASF.” He went on to say that “GEiGS^® is a powerful platform that allows us to address some of the most critical disease and pest pressures faced by growers today.”
​
GEiGS^® technology utilizes established genome editing tools to make precise and specific changes to only a few nucleotides within non-coding genomic locations of a host organism. These changes redirect RNA interference (RNAi, also Gene Silencing) activity of non-coding genes towards target genes, including those belonging to pathogens and pests. The approach does not depend on the introduction of foreign genes into the host genome.
​
Tropic Biosciences developed GEiGS^® to support its own product development, for example to produce lines of banana that are resistant to Panama disease, a devastating fungal disease that is threatening production globally. “Our aim is to help farmers increase productivity and improve sustainable environmental practices for tropical crops by applying cutting-edge gene editing technologies,” said Gilad Gershon, CEO of Tropic Biosciences. “GEiGS^® is attractive for us as it radically expands our ability to develop and commercialize non-transgenic disease resistance traits.”

 

About Tropic Biosciences

Tropic Biosciences is a UK-based biotechnology company focused on utilizing advanced plant breeding and gene editing technologies to develop high-performing commercial tropical crops, namely coffee and bananas. It employs over 60 industry-leading professionals and is headquartered at the renowned Norwich Research Park, where it has access to cutting-edge facilities and a highly qualified workforce. For more information please visit www.tropicbioscience.com

 

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2019, our division generated sales of €7.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

NORWICH, 14 March 2019:

Tropic Biosciences launches breakthrough GEiGS^® platform to combat global crop protection challenges by combining gene editing and RNAi technologies

 

• The platform is compatible with all existing gene editing tools and allows for non-transgenic editing of RNAi genes to enable a far greater set of crop protection and crop enhancement applications than existing technologies

• Recognising this technology’s wider potential beyond tropical crops, Tropic Biosciences is making GEiGS^® commercially available to select companies in other sectors

• The launch is part of the company’s strategy to support local grower communities, promote consumer health, and reduce the environmental impact of the global agriculture industry

 

Tropic Biosciences, a pioneering agricultural-biotechnology company dedicated to the development of high-performing varieties of tropical crops, is proud to announce the launch of its proprietary GEiGS^® technology (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) and the computational platform that enables its application, GEiGS-BioCompute.

GEiGS^® builds upon available gene editing tools (e.g. CRISPR, TALEN) to edit existing RNAi genes and direct their silencing functions towards new targets, including insects, viruses, fungi, or even a plant’s own genes. The ability to precisely redirect silencing functions in this way has exciting implications for the global agricultural industry, enabling a robust set of new crop protection and crop enhancement applications.

Gilad Gershon, CEO of Tropic Biosciences commented: “The GEiGS-BioCompute platform is the culmination of several years of work on our part and we are delighted to share it with the agricultural community. The benefits of this technology are numerous; we are particularly excited by its potential to improve the lives of growers and consumers alike through the development of disease resistant plant varieties. We are already using GEiGS^® to support our work on coffee and bananas, as well as providing access to the technology to select companies in order to advance their industries.”

To date, the applications of gene editing have required extensive efforts to discover and validate genes within a plant, that when edited can provide resistance against pathogens. This process can take as many as 10 years, incurring significant costs, with no guarantee of achieving the desired outcome. GEiGS^® overcomes these challenges by targeting a pathogen’s genes directly, enhancing product development pipelines substantially.

Dr. Eyal Maori, CSO of Tropic Biosciences, commented: “GEiGS-BioCompute streamlines the gene editing process significantly by analysing a plant’s genomic data to determine where the fewest changes can be made to non-coding genes in order to achieve a new, desired trait. The process is extremely accurate, requiring changes to only a handful of nucleotides out of billions, while allowing us to finely tune expression levels and control the tissue in which the silencing will occur, therefore enabling highly customised and effective applications.”

Recognising the immense value GEiGS^® offers the wider industry, Tropic Biosciences has made GEiGS^® available to selected companies for use in the development of their own products across a variety of fruit, vegetable and cereal crops. Proceeds from the commercialisation of GEiGS^® will be reinvested into the platform, and used by Tropic Biosciences to support the development of new varieties of tropical crops.

Dr. Ofir Meir, CTO of Tropic Biosciences, said; “GEiGS^® represents a true step forward in expanding the application of gene editing to a greater set of commercial objectives. In conjunction with GEiGS-BioCompute, it provides an excellent basis to tackle critical disease challenges in plants and overcome the time and cost constraints associated with traditional gene editing techniques.”