Collaboration accelerates development of new micropeptide-based
bioherbicides targeting resistant weeds.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 6, 2022
/PRNewswire/ --
FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC), a leading global agricultural
sciences company, and Micropep Technologies (Micropep), a global
leader in micropeptide technology, today announced a strategic
collaboration to develop biological solutions to control
destructive herbicide-resistant weeds that reduce crop yields.
The collaboration will accelerate the ongoing development of
natural weed control products based on short protein molecules
naturally produced by plant cells. Under an exclusive multi-year
agreement, the partnership will focus on developing new solutions
for controlling key herbicide-resistant weeds in corn and soybeans.
The companies will combine their respective R&D capabilities
leveraging Micropep's technology to expedite and improve the
success rate in identifying innovative biological
herbicides.
"We are pleased to collaborate with Micropep in
developing novel micropeptide technology to address resistance
management," said Dr. Kathleen
Shelton, FMC executive vice president and chief technology
officer. "These novel mode-of-action biomolecules in agriculture
represent an exciting new frontier; this is a completely new
solution compared to what is available to growers today. This
agreement demonstrates our continuing commitment to diversify FMC's
world-class R&D pipeline to include a broader portfolio of
biologicals that work in combination with synthetics."
The global herbicide market was over $26
billion in 2021, composed primarily of synthetic herbicides.
There are significant market opportunities for bioherbicides that
provide effective weed control while also minimizing the impact on
the environment. This collaboration advances the development of
Micropep's micropeptide pipeline, which has demonstrated efficacy
on resistant weeds and pathogens threatening major crops throughout
the world. To address agriculture's most pressing challenges, FMC
is investing in the discovery and development of new modes of
action and continues to build an extensive ecosystem of partners to
accelerate the speed of crop protection innovation.
"Micropep is building the next generation of natural solutions
addressing global challenges in multiple markets, and agriculture
is a key focal area. Climate change is already impacting the way
farmers produce food, and they urgently need new sustainable
solutions to protect their crops," said Thomas Laurent, Micropep founder and chief
executive officer. "This partnership with FMC will expedite the
availability of more sustainable solutions. By combining our
proprietary AI-powered micropeptide discovery platform and FMC's
strong scientific and commercial capabilities, we seek to develop a
selective natural herbicide effective in controlling major
resistant weeds."
Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About FMC
FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company
dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for
an expanding world population while adapting to a changing
environment. FMC's innovative crop protection solutions – including
biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture –
enable growers, crop advisers and turf and pest management
professionals to address their toughest challenges economically
while protecting the environment. With approximately 6,400
employees at more than 100 sites worldwide, FMC is committed to
discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active
ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that
are consistently better for the planet. Visit fmc.com to learn more
and follow us on LinkedIn® and Twitter®.
About Micropep Technologies
Micropep Technologies, with operations in the US and
France, is a global leader in
breakthrough micropeptide technology. The company has developed a
proprietary AI-powered discovery platform for micropeptides, which
are short protein molecules naturally produced by plant cells and
have an infinite number of applications. Micropep is building the
next generation of natural solutions addressing global challenges
in multiple markets, with a key focus in agriculture.
Statement under the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release
contains forward-looking statements, which are based on
management's current views and assumptions regarding future events,
future business conditions and the outlook for the company based on
currently available information. These statements involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause actual results to be materially different from any results,
levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by any forward-looking statement. These factors
include, among other things, the risk factors and other cautionary
statements included within FMC's 2021 Form 10-K filed with the SEC
as well as other SEC filings and public communications. FMC
cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.
Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the
above cautionary statement. FMC undertakes no obligation, and
specifically disclaims any duty, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
arising after the date on which they were made, except as otherwise
required by law.
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SOURCE FMC Corporation