Ceres awarded patent for innovation in soyabean

Ceres, an agricultural biotechnology company, has been awarded a US patent for a genetic sequence derived from soyabean, covering uses of the gene in areas such as research, product development and plant transformation.

The company believes that its gene is useful in regulating key biosynthetic processes that are the target of a class of commercial herbicides. Ceres plans to offer other seed companies a commercial license to the innovation, including an opportunity for exclusivity in certain crops.

Richard Hamilton, president and CEO of Ceres, says that the company is currently evaluating the potential market for this gene among soyabean seed companies and the use of its patented invention in the development and production of improved soybean varieties.

Ceres' biotechnology platform, which has proven to increase crop productivity, raise quality, reduce crop inputs and improve cultivation on marginal land, has broad application across multiple markets and crops.

Hamilton notes that growers are facing increasing demand for food, feed, fibre and fuel as a result of rising global population and an expanding middle class in certain regions. 'The need for technology improvements has become more pressing due to stresses from climate variability and competition for water resources,' he says. 'Agricultural biotechnology has and will continue to represent a significant source of innovation for increasing crop yields through improving performance of seeds.'

The new patent for this invention was issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office as US Patent No. 9,024,004 and is titled, Sequence-Determined DNA Fragments Encoding Acetohydroxyacid Synthase Proteins.