NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Bayer CropScience and Evogene today announced that they have entered into a five-year genomics research alliance aimed at accelerating the development and introduction of improved wheat varieties.
The firms will use Evogene's Athlete, RePack, and EvoBreed computational genomic technologies to identify genetically modified and native traits to improve yield, drought tolerance, fertilizer utilization, and other characteristics. The collaboration builds on an earlier alliance between the firms focused on increasing rice productivity and yield.
Rehovot, Israel-based Evogene will receive around $20 million in upfront fees and annual research payments over the term of the agreement. In addition, it will receive development milestone payments and royalties on the commercialization of any resulting products. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Bayer CropScience also will make an equity investment of $12 million in Evogene at a price of approximately $7 per ordinary share.