Monsanto Company reported several “firsts” in its biotechnology research and development initiatives during a conference call by Robb Fraley, chief technology office and executive vice president. Some 10 specific projects are either advanced from one phase to the next or added to the pipeline. Other highlights include:

• First ever advancement of a multi-generational family: Second-generation drought tolerant corn advanced to Phase 2 and first-generation drought tolerant corn advanced to Phase 3, making it the industry's first drought project to move into the regulatory and commercial phase.
• Five projects were added to the pipeline this year, including SmartStax corn, soybean disease, second-generation high-oil soybeans, high-stearate soybeans, and high-oil corn.
• Two of three High Impact Technologies (HITs) advanced phases: Vistive III and drought tolerant corn. The movement, which was based on results from 2007 trials, advanced the technologies one step closer to commercial launch.

See Monsanto’s press release at http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=563