Biotech Updates

China’s NIBS Links with BASF on Biotech R & D

February 1, 2008

A cooperation and licensing agreement in biotechnology focused on increasing yield in staple crops such as corn, soybeans, and rice, was made between the National Institute of Biological Sciences in Beijing, China and BASF Plant Science. In a joint press release, NIBS reports that it has identified a family of genes that have shown to increase crop yield. Under the agreement, the institute will further analyze the detailed functions of the identified genes before they enter BASF Plant Science’s R&D pipeline. BASF Plant Science will have exclusive rights to develop and commercialize transgenic crops with the discovered genes outside China while NIBS retains the right to market crops in China.

See the joint press release in http://www.nibs.ac.cn/english/index.php?act=view&id=397 and  http://www.corporate.basf.com/en/presse/mitteilungen/pm.htm?pmid=2972&id=V00-3LWWwBlwNbcp.h8