DuPont and Mendel Collaborate to Improve Water Use Efficiency and Photosynthesis in Corn

License Collaboration to Evaluate and Commercialize Leads from New Physiology Platform


DES MOINES, Iowa and HAYWARD, California, – DuPont and Mendel Biotechnology, Inc., have entered into a license collaboration to evaluate and commercialize new gene leads for increased water use efficiency (WUE) and improved photosynthesis in corn. Under the agreement, DuPont Pioneer and Mendel will evaluate these new gene leads and test them for yield-enhancement traits in Pioneer® brand corn products. These gene leads were identified by Mendel in its next-generation plant physiology platform.

“Greater efficiency in water use and photosynthesis can enhance farmer profitability and productivity, while improving sustainability of agriculture worldwide,” said Mike Lassner, vice president, Agricultural Biotechnology Trait Discovery, DuPont Pioneer. “We are pleased to collaborate with Mendel in developing new, improved Pioneer® brand corn hybrids. Working together with technology innovators increases our ability to meet the needs of a growing global population.”

“We are excited to be working with Pioneer to develop new, resource-use-efficient corn hybrids,” said Neal Gutterson, CEO, Mendel. “We are leveraging fifteen years of focused research in plant gene regulatory networks, taking advantage of the genomics and sequencing revolutions, to create better and more sustainable crop solutions.”

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc., headquartered in Hayward, California, is a leading plant science company meeting the needs of global agriculture. Since 1997, Mendel has been deploying its plant gene regulatory network platform and proprietary tools to improve productivity, resource use efficiency and stress tolerance of key agricultural crops. Mendel’s platform has already identified technologies for next-generation yield traits in soybean and other crops, and is the foundation of a pioneering class of crop performance chemistries and novel herbicides. For more information, visit: www.mendelbio.com.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, technology innovators and thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.

DuPont Pioneer is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success™.


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