CHAMPAIGN, IL and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, December 11, 2019 – Genective, a joint venture between Limagrain and KWS, dedicated to the development of transgenic traits, and AgBiome, a leader in the discovery and development of new technology from microbes, announced today a strategic partnership to accelerate commercialization of coleopteran and lepidopteran resistant transgenic traits with unique modes of action. The partnership is intended to establish a new leader in insect traits, a market with over $5 billion in annual opportunities.

“This is a key partnership during the exciting time at Genective, when we are expanding our investment and team in the U.S. with the vision of growing Genective into a globally impactful contributor to agriculture through biotechnology,” said Qiaoni Linda Jing, President and CEO of Genective. “The complementary resources and capabilities Genective and AgBiome bring into the partnership will deliver innovations paramount to the future success of growers and the agriculture industry.”

“We are delighted to be deepening our relationship with Genective. This partnership marries AgBiome’s industry-best trait discovery platform with Genective’s access to key germplasm and breeding resources. Together we have vastly increased the value proposition around trait development for both companies. Growers are eager for new solutions and our partnership will deliver them. " said Eric Ward, Co-CEO, AgBiome.

About Genective
Genective is a 50/50 joint venture between Limagrain and KWS, two of the world’s largest seed companies. With entities and activities in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, Genective is currently dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of transgenic traits. For more information, visit http://genective.com/.

About AgBiome
AgBiome partners with the microbial world to improve our planet. AgBiome’s core business discovers and develops innovative biological and trait products for crop protection. Through its commercial subsidiary, AgBiome Innovations, Inc., the company develops and sells proprietary crop protection solutions. LifeEDIT™, an AgBiome subsidiary, deploys proprietary genome editing systems to address human genetic diseases and high-value crop traits.