Biotech Updates

FuturaGene Finalizes Brazilian Field Trial for Yield Enhanced Eucalyptus Plantations

May 4, 2012

A continuing field trial will be conducted by FuturaGene for its yield enhanced genetically modified Eucalyptus tree. The approval of its fourth regulatory field trial for enhanced Eucalyptus plantation is designed to evaluate field agronomic properties and biosafety of the genetically modified event. FuturaGene, the world leader in woody crops has planted three regulatory trials over the last three months.

The field trial will be the culmination of a series of regulated selection, evaluation and biosafety trials initiated in 2006. Upon successful completion of the regulatory trials the company will submit a dossier to Brazil's regulatory agency CTNBio to deploy its yield enhanced eucalyptus in the country.

Dr. Stanley Hirsch, CEO of FuturaGene, said, "Over the past six years we have successfully demonstrated that our technology delivers sustainably increased yields for plantation forestry. This pioneering fourth trial is a key step towards the commercial deployment of our first plantation product designed to meet the ever increasing demands for energy at a time of declining land and water resources."

For more on the news, see http://www.futuragene.com/Futuragene-Brazil-field-trials.pdf