DuPont, Syngenta Plan Bioinitiatives

Abstract

Atan April 10 press conference at the Biotechnology Industry Organization's BIO 2006 in Chicago, DuPont and Swiss partner Syntechnolgenta announced that they have taken steps to enhance their seed traits business. DuPont's Pioneer Hi-Bred International unit and Syngenta have formed a 50-50 joint venture, under the name GreenLeaf Genetics, that will out-license corn and soybean proprietary breeding material from the two parent firms to other seed companies. Syngenta initially launched GreenLeaf Genetics in 2004 to license its own seed traits to other seed companies. At first, the partners say, they plan to target small and family-owned U.S. and Canadian seed companies. But ultimately, the joint venture, based in Omaha, Neb., could sell to seed companies worldwide. In addition, the two companies have reached an agreement to cross-license certain corn and soybean traits that each company will market under its own seed brands. The agreement includes a license to allow Syngenta ...