Published: November 19, 2009
Arcadia Biosciences and Vilmorin Announce Strategic Alliance to Develop and Market Nitrogen Use Efficient Wheat
DAVIS, Calif. & PARIS - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., an agricultural technology company focused on
developing technologies and products that benefit the environment and
human health, and Vilmorin, the world's fourth-largest seed company and
the global leader in wheat genetics and seed, today announced that they
have reached an agreement for the development and commercialization of
Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE) wheat. Under the terms of the agreement,
Vilmorin receives privileged global rights to the use of Arcadia's NUE
technology in wheat. Financial terms of the agreement have not been
disclosed.
The combination of Arcadia's NUE technology and Vilmorin's genetic
resources enables the development of high-yielding wheat that could
require about half the amount of nitrogen fertilizer as conventional
crops, offering economic benefits to growers and a measurable positive
impact on the environment.
With more than 220 million hectares cultivated globally, wheat is the
world's largest cultivated crop. It's also the heaviest user of nitrogen
fertilizer with 20 million tons applied annually, accounting for
approximately 20 percent of total global nitrogen fertilizer use.
"Wheat is the largest food crop in the world and is a critically
important part of our global food supply. By reducing the need for
nitrogen fertilizer, NUE wheat offers a significant economic and
environmental opportunity," said Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia.
"Vilmorin is the clear global leader in wheat genetics and seed, and in
our view there is no better partner in the world to develop and
commercialize NUE wheat than Vilmorin. This agreement builds upon
Arcadia's existing NUE wheat research agreement with Australian partners
CSIRO and ACPFG."
"This long term collaboration is a fundamental step for the
reinforcement of the worldwide strategy of Vilmorin in wheat and will
allow the consolidation of its leader expertise on this crop species. As
demonstrated by this agreement, Vilmorin is committed to expanding its
European leadership in wheat. Wheat is among the most important cereal
crops worldwide. Improvements in both quality and productivity are
critical to the ongoing protection of the global food supply." said
Adrian Huige, CEO of Vilmorin.
About Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.
Based in Davis, Calif., with additional facilities in Seattle, Wash. and
Phoenix, Ariz., Arcadia Biosciences is an agricultural technology
company focused on developing technologies and products that improve the
environment and enhance human health. Arcadia's technologies for
efficient and environmentally beneficial crop production include
nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), water use efficiency, and salt tolerance.
For more information visit www.arcadiabio.com.
About Vilmorin
Vilmorin is the fourth largest seed company in the world, and creates
vegetable and field crops with high added value, thus helping to meet
food needs more efficiently. Based on a responsible vision of its
development, Vilmorin's strategy is a successful combination of its
research capacity and constant international growth that strengthens its
position as a world player. This ambition is founded on sharing
knowledge, quality of life and respect for the needs of mankind, all
expressed through its philosophy "Cultivating the taste of life."
Listed on NYSE Euronext Paris (compartment B), Vilmorin's quotation is
included in the Next 150, CAC Mid 100 and SBF 120 indices, and is
eligible for SRD (Deferred Settlement Order). For more information visit www.vilmorin.info
Arcadia
Jeff Bergau, +1-312-217-0419
jeff.bergau@arcadiabio.com
or
Vilmorin
Daniel
Jacquemond, + 33(0)-4-73-63-41-95
Chief Financial Officer
daniel.jacquemond@vilmorin.info
or
Claire
Planche, + 33(0)-4-73-63-41-95
Financial Communications Officer
claire.planche@vilmorin.info
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