Drought Tolerance Gene Granted Chinese Patent

A Chinese patent has been granted to FuturaGene PLC, on the "Method for increasing stress tolerance in plants". The patent includes Futura Gene's drought tolerance gene for use in both food and non-food crops including the drought tolerance technology granted by the company to Bayer CropScience for its utilization in cotton worldwide in early December.

Since September this year, the company has been collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Forestry on the use of the same gene technology for the development of new enhanced poplar with increased water efficiency. Dr. Stanley Hirsch, FuturaGene CEO said, "China is the largest global cotton producer, both by volume and by value, and is also a major potential market for drought tolerant poplar, which could play an important role in reversing desertification. This patent provides protection for our commercial efforts in China. In a country with real concerns about food security, it is a major development in the process of establishing sustainable agriculture."

See the story at: http://www.futuragene.com/Chinese%20Patent%20Granted%20-%20Lo%20%20.pdf