Syngenta Group, one of the largest agricultural technology companies globally, has announced it will provide rights to selected genome-editing and breeding technologies for academic research worldwide. This initiative is part of Syngenta's commitment to fostering innovation and driving sustainability in agriculture. The rights, accessible through its innovation collaboration platform Shoots by Syngenta, include optimized CRISPR-Cas12a and gene-editing enabled breeding tools.
CRISPR gene-editing allows for the development of improved plants without the need for DNA from different species, achieving results more quickly and efficiently than through natural or conventional breeding methods. Gusui Wu, Head of Global Seeds Research at Syngenta, highlighted the potential of CRISPR technology to revolutionize crop innovation, providing farmers with more productive and resilient crops. Syngenta is inviting universities and academic institutions globally to join in driving agricultural sustainability through this technology.
Syngenta scientists have been at the forefront of enhancing CRISPR-Cas genome editing technologies, engineering CRISPR Cas12a to increase its efficiency and utility for crop improvement. This initiative continues Syngenta's tradition of sharing technology with public and private entities, facilitating easy access to proprietary technologies for academic and non-profit research. An example of this openness is Syngenta’s vegetable licensing platform, which allows breeding companies and academic institutes to access and breed with Syngenta germplasm.
The Shoots by Syngenta platform, created in 2023, aims to create partnerships to address complex challenges in food and agriculture. It connects academics, research institutes, and other entities with Syngenta’s global network of over 6,000 scientists to develop solutions that mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, and benefit both smallholder and large-scale farmers. The platform emphasizes values of openness and transparency.
Stuart Harrison, Head of Global Seeds R&D Partnerships at Syngenta, emphasized the potential of this initiative to drive significant crop solutions and support farmers worldwide through collaboration. Adrian Percy, Executive Director of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative, expressed excitement about the potential of these technologies to enhance genome editing capabilities and improve various crops for growers.
A streamlined process has been established for licensing the technologies, with additional information available through the online catalogue on the Shoots by Syngenta website at https://shootsbysyngenta.com/outlicensing.
