ST. LOUIS & NESS ZIONA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
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
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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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