Cibus Achieves Positive Initial Field Trial Results for Stacked Gene Edited Herbicide Tolerant Traits in Rice

Rhea-AI Summary

Cibus (Nasdaq: CBUS) has announced positive initial field trial results for a novel weed management solution in rice using stacked gene edited herbicide tolerant traits. The trials showed that using two herbicides provided excellent weed control. This approach could enable farmers to use a comprehensive weed management system with two different modes of action, potentially reducing the risk of resistant weeds.

The company believes stacked traits are important for modernizing crop breeding, allowing for more efficient development of complex traits to address major farming yield constraints. Cibus is using its Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS®), including Gene Repair Oligonucleotides (GRON) and molecular scissors like TALENs, to develop these traits.

Positive

• Positive initial field trial results for stacked gene edited herbicide tolerant traits in rice
• Potential for improved weed management using two herbicides with different modes of action
• Possible reduction in the risk of resistant weeds
• Applicability to many rice markets globally
• Progress in trait development pipeline addressing major farming yield constraints

Negative

• None.

Insights

Agricultural Biotechnology Expert

The initial field trial results for Cibus' stacked gene-edited herbicide-tolerant traits in rice are promising. This development could be a game-changer for rice farmers globally. The ability to use two herbicides with different modes of action addresses a critical issue in weed management: the development of herbicide-resistant weeds.

From a technical standpoint, the successful stacking of gene-edited traits demonstrates Cibus' expertise in RTDS® technology. This approach offers a more precise and efficient method for trait development compared to traditional GMO techniques. The use of GRONs and TALENs for gene editing is particularly noteworthy, as it aligns with global trends favoring non-GMO solutions.

However, it's important to note that these are initial results. Further trials and regulatory approvals will be necessary before commercialization. The potential market impact is significant, but investors should be cautious about immediate expectations.

Agricultural Market Analyst

Cibus' breakthrough could significantly impact the global rice market, which was valued at $238.8 billion in 2022. Improved weed management could lead to increased yields and reduced labor costs, particularly in developing countries where manual weeding is common.

The potential for licensing this technology to seed companies aligns with Cibus' business model of generating royalty revenues. This could provide a steady, long-term income stream if the technology is widely adopted. However, market penetration will depend on regulatory approvals in key rice-producing countries and consumer acceptance of gene-edited crops.

Investors should consider the long development cycle typical in agribiotech. While promising, it may take several years before this technology contributes significantly to Cibus' revenue. The company's ability to navigate regulatory landscapes and secure partnerships with major seed companies will be important for realizing the full market potential of this innovation.

Early results of a novel weed management solution using two herbicides show promise.

The first known use of stacked gene edited herbicide tolerant traits in an elite variety of rice to improve weed management.

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cibus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBUS), a leading agricultural technology company that develops and licenses plant traits to seed companies for royalties, today announced that it has positive initial field trial results of a novel weed management solution for rice farmers. Initial results have shown that using two herbicides provided an excellent weed management system in rice. If ultimately successful, stacking gene edited herbicide tolerant (HT) traits in a rice variety would enable the use of two herbicides with difference modes of action to control weeds. Rice containing stacked gene edited herbicide tolerant traits would allow farmers ultimately to use a comprehensive weed management solution. This stacked trait product would give farmers an excellent solution to manage weeds that impact yield and quality and would be applicable to many rice markets globally, providing a broader weed control solution to further reduce the risk of resistant weeds that often occur over time when using one mode of action herbicide.

Cibus believes stacked traits are a key element of modernizing crop breeding. Gene editing provides the ability to develop complex traits more efficiently and to address major farming yield constraints such as weeds, disease and inefficient fertilizer use. Cibus is seeking to address each of these problems in its trait development pipeline.

Importantly, Cibus is a leader in the development of gene edited traits in plants like herbicide tolerance in Rice. The Company’s plant trait intellectual property is developed using its Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS^®) including Gene Repair Oligonucleotides (GRON) and molecular scissors including Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs).

Jim Radtke, PhD, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Cibus, commented, “The stacking of Cibus’ two gene edited herbicide tolerance traits in rice is representative of our strategy, goal and ability to provide farmers more options in managing weeds. We are encouraged to see initial trial results of our stacked gene edited Rice HT traits.”

Norm Sissons, Senior Vice President Seeds and Traits at Cibus, added, “Cibus continues to provide crop productivity solutions for farmers that focus on both profitability and sustainability. In many parts of the world weed management is often manual labor intensive or utilizes herbicides that are less effective in controlling weeds that compete to reduce rice crop yields. Cibus is committed to bring to market multiple weed management solutions for Rice farmers and these initial results are very encouraging.”

About Cibus

Cibus is a leader in gene edited productivity traits that address critical productivity and sustainability challenges for farmers such as diseases and pests which the United Nations estimates cost the global economy approximately $300 billion annually. Cibus is not a seed company. It is a technology company that uses gene editing to develop and license traits to seed companies in exchange for royalties on seed sales. Cibus' focus is productivity traits for farmers for the major global row crops with large acreage such as canola, corn, rice, soybean, and wheat. Cibus is a technology leader in high throughput gene editing technology that enables Cibus to develop and commercialize plant traits at a fraction of the time and cost of conventional breeding.  In total, Cibus has developed a pipeline of five productivity traits. It is commercializing its Pod Shatter Reduction trait in Canola, in addition, it is a leader in weed management traits in Rice with its HT1 and HT3 traits with customers such as Loveland Products (Nutrien Ltd.) and Interoc S.A in the United States and Latin America. Its recent development of stacked herbicide tolerant traits in rice is an important milestone in developing better weed solutions in rice. Its other pipeline traits including Sclerotinia resistance are in advanced greenhouse and field trial stages.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "anticipates," "believes," "continue," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "might," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "should," "targets," "will," or the negative of these terms and other similar terminology. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated closing of the offering and the expected use of the proceeds from the offering. Completion of the offering is subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond Cibus’ control, including, without limitation, market conditions, failure to satisfy customary closing conditions and the risk factors and other matters set forth in the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus included in the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference therein. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by Cibus’ management, which are based only on information currently available to it when, and speak only as of the date, such statement is made. Cibus does not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by law.

CIBUS CONTACTS:

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Karen Troeber
ktroeber@cibus.com
858-450-2636

MEDIA RELATIONS
media@cibus.com

(619) 849-6009

Colin Sanford
colin@bioscribe.com
203-918-4347

FAQ

What are the initial field trial results for Cibus's (CBUS) stacked gene edited herbicide tolerant traits in rice?

Cibus (CBUS) reported positive initial field trial results, showing that using two herbicides provided excellent weed control in rice with stacked gene edited herbicide tolerant traits.

How could Cibus's (CBUS) stacked gene edited traits benefit rice farmers?

The stacked traits could enable farmers to use a comprehensive weed management solution with two different modes of action, potentially reducing the risk of resistant weeds and improving crop yields and quality.

What technology is Cibus (CBUS) using to develop its gene edited traits?

Cibus is using its Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS®), which includes Gene Repair Oligonucleotides (GRON) and molecular scissors like Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs).

What are the potential global applications of Cibus's (CBUS) stacked gene edited herbicide tolerant traits in rice?

The stacked trait product could be applicable to many rice markets globally, providing a broader weed control solution and potentially reducing manual labor in weed management in various parts of the world.