NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Precision BioSciences and Agrivida have struck an agreement to use Precision Bio's genetic modification technology to develop traits in corn that can improve animal nutrition for the dairy and beef industries.
The partners will use Precision Bio's Directed Nuclease Editor (DNE) technology, which enables production of genome-editing enyzmes that can insert, remove, modify, and regulate genes in mammalian and plant cells, Research Triangle Park, NC-based Precision said today.
Located in Medford, Mass., Agrivida develops products that incorporate regulated proteins that are engineered for specific applications, including biomass feedstock for animal nutrition, bio-based fuels and chemicals, and industrial enzymes.
"The opportunity for improving the nutritional characteristics of crops for the dairy and beef market segments is significant," Agrivida CEO Dan Meagher said in a statement. He added that Precision Bio's DNE technology has delivered a compositional modification that will help boost productivity of ruminant animals that eat plants expressing a trait they have already developed.
Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.