Biotech Updates

Syngenta Opens Center in China, Acquires Flower Seeds Business

October 31, 2008

Swiss agricultural biotechnology company Syngenta has opened a crop research facility in Zhongguancun Life Science Park Beijing, according to a report by the Xinhua news agency. The center, called Syngenta Biotechnology (China) Co Ltd., will focus on early-stage evaluation of GM and native traits for key crops such as corn and soy, in the areas of yield improvement, drought resistance, disease control and biomass conversion for biofuels. The company plans to invest US$ 65 million in the center for the first five years.

Read the article at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/27/content_10259494.htm and http://www.syngenta.com/en/media/mediareleases/en_080417.html for more information.

Syngenta also announced that it has acquired the pot and garden Chrysanthemum and Aster business of U.S. flowers producer Yoder Brothers Inc. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed but Syngenta says that the two crops accounted for around $24 million of Yoder’s sales.

The press release is available at http://www.syngenta.com/en/media/mediareleases/en_081029.html