US biotech giant Monsanto is to collaborate with pest-control firm Divergence to develop nematode-resistant soybeans.
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Soybean cyst nematode attacks the roots of soybean plants during the growing season, and the annual US yield loss can amount to a billion-dollar problem for soybean growers.
As part of the collaboration, Monsanto will gain exclusive rights to Divergence’s existing technology in this area and will provide funding for ongoing research performed by Divergence. Divergence will also receive milestone payments based on research and development success, and royalties once products reach the marketplace.
“Monsanto is committed to remaining a leader in providing important traits to growers that will allow them to realise maximum productivity and to investing in improvements that allow US soybean growers to be competitive in the world marketplace,” said Robert Fraley, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Monsanto.
“Divergence is unique in its focus on controlling parasitic nematodes, and its use of innovative science in the discovery and development of leads gives Monsanto a running start in the search for tools to combat this problem,” he added.
