NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Monsanto announced two new licensing agreements for genome editing technologies with Israel's TargetGene Biotechnologies and Germany's Nomad Bioscience.
Under the terms of the TargetGene agreement, Monsanto has obtained an exclusive license to the firm's genome editing engine (T-Gee) and an equity position in the privately owned firm. T-Gee is based on RNA-directed gene targeting, the firms said in a statement.
"TargetGene has uniquely positioned itself to develop precision-editing techniques that can improve a broad range of solutions," Monsanto Biotechnology Lead Tom Adams said in a statement.
Under the terms of the Nomad deal, Monsanto has obtained rights to use Nomad's technology in research projects and an option to exclusively license it for use in the development of commercial agricultural products.
"Our approach greatly increases both the efficiency of genome editing and the ability to deploy edited traits in commercial varieties, which could prove to be beneficial to the speed and scale at which potential products are developed," Yuri Gleba, CEO and founder of Nomad Bioscience said in a statement.
The firms will also partner on a three-year research project to continue development of Nomad's plant-based transient protein expression technology.
Financial and other terms of both agreements were not disclosed.