Chinese Patent Granted
16 Dezember 2009 - 8:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMFGN
RNS Number : 1790E
Futuragene PLC
16 December 2009
16 December 2009
FuturaGene PLC
Drought tolerance gene granted Chinese patent
FuturaGene PLC ("FuturaGene" or "the Group", AIM: FGN), a leader in plant
genetic research and development for global forestry, biofuel and agricultural
markets, has been granted a patent by the Chinese patent office entitled
"Method for increasing stress tolerance in plants". The patent covers
FuturaGene's drought tolerance gene for use in both food and non-food crops.
On 3 December 2009, FuturaGene licensed drought tolerance technology to Bayer
CropScience for utilisation in cotton worldwide. The licensed technology is
covered by this newly issued patent in China.
This Chinese patent is a significant step for the Group as it protects and
enhances its business development in China. It follows the announcement on 2
September 2009 that the Group is collaborating with the Chinese Academy of
Forestry on the use of the same gene for the development of new enhanced poplar
with increased water efficiency.
Water availability is one of the principal environmental limiters of crop yield
around the world, hampering cultivation of crops on more than 40% of the earth's
land surface and posing a significant threat to global agricultural production
and food supply.
Northern China was recently hit by its worst drought in 50 years, affecting half
of the winter wheat cropping area and leaving millions of people and livestock
unable to access sufficient water. Following this event, the Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations devised a plan with the Chinese
authorities for short and medium term intervention for drought impact mitigation
over the next three years.
Dr Stanley Hirsch, FuturaGene CEO said,
"This is a key development for us and consolidates our global intellectual
property position in the critical area of drought tolerance, and significantly
strengthens our position in China.
"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."
Enquiries:
+-------------------------------------+------------------------------+-------------+
| FuturaGene Plc | |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Mark Pritchard, Chairman | +44 (0) 7802 827 846 |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Dr. Stanley Hirsch, Group Chief | +972 544 56 2724 |
| Executive | |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| | |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Evolution Securities | |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Neil Elliot | +44 (0) 20 7071 4300 |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| | |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| College Hill | +44 (0)20 7457 2020 |
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Adrian Duffield/Rozi Morris | |
+-------------------------------------+------------------------------+-------------+
Notes to Editors
About Futuragene PLC - www.futuragene.com
FuturaGene is a leader in plant genetic research and development for the global
forestry, biofuel, and agricultural markets. The Group develops sustainable,
ecologically sound technology to meet the ever increasing demands for fiber,
fuel and food crops in the face of declining and deteriorating land and water
resources.
FuturaGene aims to be the leading crop technology company for biomass, second
generation biofuel and biopower, through two main technology platforms: Cell
Wall Modification, which helps crops grow faster, enhancing yield and
processability; and Abiotic Stress Tolerance which enables plants to grow in
harsh, dry, salty environments or protects yield when plants are stressed by
these factors.
The Group's most advanced technologies are for yield improvement in sustainable
industrial forestry and it has strong partnerships with leading international
forestry and agriculture companies, such as Suzano, Bayer CropScience, Forage
Genetics (Land 'O Lakes), China Academy of Forestry (CAF), AA Alliance and
Targeted Growth. The Group has established broad applications of its technology
in key crops including eucalyptus, poplar, alfalfa, cotton and corn.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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