Monsanto and NRGene Announce Global Licensing Agreement for Big Data Genomic Analysis Technology
January 12 2017 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Technology Platform Will Help Monsanto Analyze, Store And
Mine Its Industry-Leading Broad Genomic Data Sets To Enhance
Breeding And R&D Opportunities
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) and NRGene announced today that the
companies have reached a non-exclusive, multi-year global licensing
agreement on NRGene’s genome-analysis technology to enhance
Monsanto’s ability to predict, compare and select the best genetic
makeup from its vast data sets of genetic, genomic and trait
information.
NRGene’s platform, GenoMAGICTM, was developed by a unique mix of
highly experienced algorithm designers, software engineers, plant
breeders and plant geneticists and is used by seed companies and
major academic and research institutions around the world.
“Monsanto employs best-in-class data analytics technologies to
help unlock the genetic potential of our research and development
pipeline for our farmer customers,” said Tom Osborn, Monsanto’s
Molecular Breeding Technology Director. “Our focus on data is
allowing us make better decisions than ever before – and with
GenoMAGIC, we expect to provide our plant breeders with a more
comprehensive view to improve their analyses and decisions.”
“Monsanto is a global leader in technology that provides farmers
with high-yielding seed hybrids and varieties, and we are proud
that they have selected GenoMAGIC as a tool to support their
advanced breeding programs,” says Dr. Gil Ronen, NRGene Chief
Executive Officer. “Partnering with companies like Monsanto –
combined with our recent achievements, including being the first to
map the wheat genome – are significant milestones on our roadmap to
become the worldwide leader of genomic big data solutions.”
Both companies noted their dedication to developing technologies
that support farmers as they work to grow better harvests, protect
their crops and deliver more to society in the face of mounting
environmental challenges. Monsanto’s research and development
(R&D) pipeline is focused on providing solutions to those
challenges through plant breeding, plant biotechnology, crop
protection, ag biologicals, and data science.
With nearly half of Monsanto’s annual R&D investment focused
on plant breeding, the use of leading genome analysis technologies
like GenoMAGIC – along with the industry’s largest testing
capability and scale and premier discovery technologies – are
expected to increase current genetic gain. Monsanto may expand its
relationship with NRGene into a longer-term commitment following an
in-depth evaluation of the technology. The GenoMAGIC platform
extends Monsanto's capabilities for genome selection, trait
discovery, and genome enhancement.
About Monsanto Company
Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to
help nourish our growing world. We produce seeds for fruits,
vegetables and key crops – such as corn, soybeans, and cotton –
that help farmers have better harvests while using water and other
important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable
solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming
practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop
protection products to minimize damage from pests and disease.
Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers,
researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to
help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. To learn more
about Monsanto, our commitments and our more than 20,000 dedicated
employees, please
visit: discover.monsanto.com and monsanto.com.
Follow our business on Twitter® at twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the
company blog, Beyond the
Rows® at monsantoblog.com or subscribe to
our News Release RSS Feed.
About NRGene
NRGene is a genomic big data company developing cutting-edge
software and algorithms to reveal the complexity and diversity of
crop plants, animals, and aquatic organisms for the most advanced,
sophisticated breeding. NRGene tools have already been employed by
some of the world's leading seed companies, as well as the most
influential teams in academia. NRGene’s GenoMAGICTM and its
DeNovoMAGICTM genome assembly solution continue to allow seed
companies and major academic and research institutions around the
world to support their research on maize, wheat, soybean,
vegetables and other crops critical to support global food
security. www.nrgene.com
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking
Information
Certain statements contained in this release are
“forward-looking statements,” such as statements concerning the
company’s anticipated financial results, current and future product
performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and
other non-historical facts, as well as the pending transaction with
Bayer Aktiengesellschaft (“Bayer”). These statements are based on
current expectations and currently available information. However,
since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and
uncertainties, the company’s actual performance and results may
differ materially from those described or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute
to such differences include, among others: risks related to
the pending transaction between the company and Bayer, including
the risk that the company’s shareowners do not approve the
transaction, the risk that the regulatory approvals required for
the transaction may not be obtained on the anticipated terms or
time frame or at all, the risk that the other conditions to the
completion of the transaction may not be satisfied, the risk that
disruptions or uncertainties related to the pending transaction
could adversely affect the company’s business, financial
performance and/or relationships with third parties, and the risk
that certain contractual restrictions during the pendency of the
transaction could adversely affect the company’s ability to pursue
business opportunities or strategic transactions; continued
competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the
company’s exposure to various contingencies, including those
related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance
and the speed with which approvals are received, and public
understanding and acceptance of our biotechnology and other
agricultural products; the success of the company’s research and
development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits, including
potential litigation related to the pending transaction with Bayer;
developments related to foreign currencies and economies;
fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations
affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company’s
estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the recent
increases in levels of indebtedness, continued availability of
capital and financing and rating agency actions; the company’s
ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain
payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather
conditions, natural disasters, accidents, and security breaches,
including cybersecurity incidents, on the agriculture business or
the company’s facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in
the company’s most recent periodic report to the SEC. Undue
reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements,
which are current only as of the date of this release. The company
disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any
forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect
actual results.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170112005164/en/
Monsanto CompanyMedia:John Combest,
314-694-6397orInvestors:Laura Meyer, 314-694-8148orNRGeneMedia:Amy
Kenigsberg, 913-440-4072
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