Biotech Updates

Syngenta to Develop Heat-Tolerant Broccoli

September 12, 2008

Syngenta Seeds Inc. has teamed with California-based R&D Ag Inc. to develop heat-tolerant broccoli varieties. The agreement gives Syngenta a license for R&D Ag’s patent on heat-tolerant broccoli. In addition, it will also provide Syngenta with research rights as well as exclusive, global marketing rights for joint broccoli hybrids that combine R&D Ag’s heat tolerant germplasm with Syngenta-developed germplasm and technology. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Broccoli is a cool-weather crop restricted to specific geographical production regions and planting seasons. The development of heat-tolerant varieties may allow for expansion of the broccoli acreage, increasing options for growers. Syngenta anticipates the first commercial sales of these new broccoli hybrids in 2011.

The news release is available at http://www.syngenta.com/en/index.html