Cibus’ Agriculture Breeding Breakthroughs Create New Industry Paradigms for Development and Commercialization of Plant Traits
Cibus (NASDAQ: CBUS) has announced significant breakthroughs in its proprietary RTDS gene editing process, establishing production standards that enable trait development in customer's elite germplasm within 12 months. The company has achieved standardization for traits in Rice (herbicide tolerance HT1 and HT3) and Canola (pod shatter reduction, herbicide tolerance HT2, and Sclerotinia resistance).
Key advances include improved cell biology technology, enhanced oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis (ODM) editing platform with conversion rates of 10-25% in Rice and up to 50% in Canola, and streamlined semi-automated regeneration processes. While missing its 2024 goal for an operational soybean platform, Cibus successfully edited Soybean cells with HT2 trait genetic changes.
The company's standardized process represents a significant shift from conventional breeding methods, offering a timebound and predictable system for trait development. These genetic changes are expected to be regulated similarly to naturally occurring traits, distinguishing them from GMOs.
Cibus (NASDAQ: CBUS) ha annunciato importanti progressi nel suo processo di editing genetico proprietario RTDS, stabilendo standard di produzione che consentono lo sviluppo di tratti nel germoplasma d'élite dei clienti entro 12 mesi. L'azienda ha raggiunto la standardizzazione per i tratti nel Riso (tolleranza agli erbicidi HT1 e HT3) e nella Colza (riduzione della rottura dei baccelli, tolleranza agli erbicidi HT2 e resistenza a Sclerotinia).
I principali risultati includono una tecnologia di biologia cellulare migliorata, una piattaforma di editing migliorata di mutagenesi diretta da oligonucleotidi (ODM) con tassi di conversione del 10-25% nel Riso e fino al 50% nella Colza, e processi di rigenerazione semi-automatizzati semplificati. Sebbene non abbia raggiunto il suo obiettivo per una piattaforma operativa di soia nel 2024, Cibus ha modificato con successo le cellule di soia con cambiamenti genetici legati al tratto HT2.
Il processo standardizzato dell'azienda rappresenta un cambiamento significativo rispetto ai metodi di allevamento convenzionali, offrendo un sistema prevedibile e limitato nel tempo per lo sviluppo dei tratti. Questi cambiamenti genetici si prevede saranno regolati in modo simile ai tratti che si verificano naturalmente, distinguendoli dagli OGM.
Cibus (NASDAQ: CBUS) ha anunciado avances significativos en su proceso de edición genética RTDS, estableciendo estándares de producción que permiten el desarrollo de traits en el germoplasma élite de los clientes en un plazo de 12 meses. La compañía ha logrado la estandarización de traits en arroz (tolerancia a herbicidas HT1 y HT3) y canola (reducción de la rotura de cápsulas, tolerancia a herbicidas HT2 y resistencia a Sclerotinia).
Los avances clave incluyen una tecnología de biología celular mejorada, una plataforma de edición de mutagénesis dirigida por oligonucleótidos (ODM) mejorada con tasas de conversión del 10 al 25% en arroz y hasta el 50% en canola, y procesos de regeneración semi-automatizados simplificados. Aunque no cumplió con su meta de 2024 para una plataforma operativa de soja, Cibus editó con éxito células de soja con cambios genéticos del trait HT2.
El proceso estandarizado de la compañía representa un cambio significativo respecto a los métodos de reproducción convencionales, ofreciendo un sistema predecible y con límite de tiempo para el desarrollo de traits. Se espera que estos cambios genéticos sean regulados de manera similar a los traits que ocurren de forma natural, distinguiéndolos de los OGM.
Cibus (NASDAQ: CBUS)는 독자적인 RTDS 유전자 편집 프로세스에서 중요한 발전을 발표하며, 고객의 엘리트 종자에서 특성 개발을 12개월 이내에 가능하게 하는 생산 기준을 확립했습니다. 회사는 쌀(제초제 내성 HT1 및 HT3)과 유채(제비꽃 질사 내구성 및 제초제 내성 HT2, 스클레로티니아 저항성)의 특성에 대한 표준화를 달성했습니다.
주요 발전 사항으로는 개선된 세포 생물학 기술, 쌀에서 10-25%의 전환율과 유채에서 최대 50%의 전환율을 달성하는 oligonucleotide 지시 변이 원판(ODM)과정, 그리고 간소화된 반자동 재생 프로세스가 있습니다. 2024년 대두 플랫폼에 대한 목표를 놓쳤지만, Cibus는 HT2 특성의 유전자 변화를 가진 대두 세포를 성공적으로 편집했습니다.
회사의 표준화된 절차는 전통적인 육종 방식과는 상당한 변화를 나타내며, 특성 개발을 위한 시간 제약 및 예측 가능한 시스템을 제공합니다. 이러한 유전자 변화는 자연적으로 발생하는 특성과 유사하게 규제될 것으로 예상되며, GMO와는 구별됩니다.
Cibus (NASDAQ: CBUS) a annoncé des percées significatives dans son processus d'édition génétique RTDS propriétaire, établissant des normes de production qui permettent le développement de traits dans le germoplasme d'élite des clients en 12 mois. L'entreprise a atteint une standardisation pour les traits dans le Riz (tolérance aux herbicides HT1 et HT3) et le Colza (réduction de rupture de gousses, tolérance aux herbicides HT2 et résistance à Sclerotinia).
Les principaux progrès incluent une technologie améliorée de biologie cellulaire, une plateforme d'édition par mutagenèse dirigée par oligonucleotide (ODM) avec des taux de conversion de 10-25% dans le Riz et jusqu'à 50% dans le Colza, ainsi que des processus de régénération semi-automatisés simplifiés. Bien que l'entreprise ait manqué son objectif de 2024 pour une plateforme de soja opérationnelle, Cibus a réussi à éditer avec succès des cellules de soja avec des changements génétiques liés au trait HT2.
Le processus standardisé de l'entreprise représente un changement significatif par rapport aux méthodes de reproduction conventionnelles, offrant un système prévisible et limité dans le temps pour le développement des traits. On s'attend à ce que ces changements génétiques soient réglementés de manière similaire aux traits d'origine naturelle, les distinguant des OGM.
Cibus (NASDAQ: CBUS) hat bedeutende Durchbrüche in seinem proprietären RTDS-Genbearbeitungsprozess bekannt gegeben und Produktionsstandards etabliert, die die Entwicklung von Eigenschaften im Elite-Germplasma der Kunden innerhalb von 12 Monaten ermöglichen. Das Unternehmen hat die Standardisierung von Eigenschaften bei Reis (Herbizidtoleranz HT1 und HT3) und Raps (Pod-Schwellreduktion, Herbizidtoleranz HT2 und Sclerotinia-Resistenz) erreicht.
Wesentliche Fortschritte sind eine verbesserte Zellbiologietechnologie, eine verbesserte Plattform für oligonukleotid-gesteuerte Mutagenese (ODM) mit Konversionsraten von 10-25% bei Reis und bis zu 50% bei Raps sowie vereinfachte halbautomatisierte Regenerationsprozesse. Obwohl das Unternehmen sein Ziel für eine betriebliche Sojabohnen-Plattform im Jahr 2024 verfehlt hat, gelang es Cibus, Sojabohnenszellen erfolgreich mit genetischen Veränderungen des Traits HT2 zu editieren.
Der standardisierte Prozess des Unternehmens stellt einen bedeutenden Wandel von herkömmlichen Zuchtmethoden dar und bietet ein zeitgebundenes und vorhersehbares System für die Entwicklung von Eigenschaften. Es wird erwartet, dass diese genetischen Veränderungen ähnlich wie natürlich vorkommende Eigenschaften reguliert werden, was sie von GVO unterscheidet.
- Established 12-month turnaround time for trait development in customer germplasm
- Achieved high gene editing conversion rates (10-25% in Rice, up to 50% in Canola)
- Successfully edited Soybean cells with HT2 trait genetic changes
- Products expected to be regulated as non-GMO traits
- Failed to meet 2024 deadline for operational soybean platform development
Insights
The standardization of Cibus' RTDS gene editing process marks a significant technological breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology. Their reported editing success rates of
The company's ODM technology enabling multiple DNA edits in a single pass is particularly noteworthy, as it addresses one of the key limitations in current gene editing approaches. This capability, combined with their high conversion rates, positions them favorably for developing complex traits like disease resistance. However, the delayed development of their soybean platform indicates some technical challenges remain.
This advancement could revolutionize Cibus' business model and market position. The standardization of their gene editing process creates a scalable, predictable revenue stream through licensing and royalties. The 12-month turnaround time for custom trait development could accelerate market adoption and revenue generation. The regulatory positioning of their traits as non-GMO is strategically important, potentially opening markets where GMO products face restrictions.
However, investors should note that while the technology shows promise, the
The company's intellectual property position appears robust with their patented ODM technology. The standardization of their process strengthens their competitive moat and licensing potential. Their ability to make multiple edits in a single pass, while maintaining non-GMO status, creates significant barriers to entry and differentiation from competitors.
The emphasis on process standardization and quality controls suggests a mature technology platform ready for commercial scale. This could lead to stronger negotiating positions with seed companies and potentially higher royalty rates. The regulatory classification as non-GMO could significantly reduce compliance costs and time-to-market compared to traditional GMO traits.
Culmination of Advances in Gene Editing Efficiency and Process Improvements Drives Standardization of Cibus’ Gene Editing System Delivering Traits in a Customer’s Elite Germplasm in less than 12 Months
Cibus Announces Editing Milestone in the Continuing Development of its Soybean Platform
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cibus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBUS) (the “Company”), a leading agricultural technology company that develops and licenses plant traits to seed companies for royalties, today announced that it has established production standards for its proprietary RTDS gene editing process. These standards, applicable to the Company’s developed and advanced traits, represent the accomplishment of a critical goal as the Company seeks to continue industrialization of plant breeding through its standardized timebound and predictable process. This standardization has major positive implications for the development and commercialization of new traits.
Cibus’ production standards have been developed for Cibus’ developed traits in Rice (herbicide tolerance (HT1 and HT3)) and Canola (pod shatter reduction and herbicide tolerance (HT2)), as well as advanced traits in Canola (Sclerotinia resistance). In each of these cases, Cibus believes that it can edit a customer’s elite germplasm or seed and return it to its customer with a specific edit within 12 months.
The development of Cibus’ standardized process has been driven by many advances over time, including:
- Advances in Cibus’ proprietary cell biology technology enable the Company to develop and improve crop platforms that can regenerate whole plants from a single cell of a customer’s elite germplasm.
- Advances in the company’s oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis (ODM) editing platform enabling multiple DNA edits (known as spelling changes) driving improved editing conversion rates critical for development of complex traits like disease resistance. Cibus’ gene editing conversion rates across its crops at between 10 –
25% in Rice and as high as50% in Canola. - Streamlining and semi-automation of Cibus’ regeneration process, including rigorous testing and quality controls, which are critical to managing process time and product quality.
These advancements underscore Cibus’ mission to use gene editing technology to industrialize plant breeding. Cibus’ standardized high throughput, semi-automated, gene editing production system is instrumental to the Company’s commitment to deliver to its seed company customers through a time-bound and predictable process.
In addition, while Cibus did not meet its stated goal of achieving an operational soybean platform by the end of the year 2024, the Company did successfully edit a Soybean cell with genetic changes associated with its HT2 trait, achieving sufficiently high editing rates that enabled expanded development by the Company of its Soybean platform. The Company continues to work diligently toward a fully operational Soybean platform.
“Conventional breeding and other forms of gene editing involve lengthy and often random processes. A major objective in the development of Cibus’ gene editing process has been the promise of a new paradigm in breeding that has the ability to develop traits in a short timebound and predictable way and to develop traits that are indistinguishable from traits developed in nature,” stated Greg Gocal Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President. “A key part of our objective has been to standardize our process as we edit our customer’s elite germplasm.”
“The impact of Cibus’ technological and process advances cannot be overstated. We can materially reduce the time involved in developing traits and the time required for commercialization of traits by our global seed company customers. Our patented ODM technology enables us to make complex (multiple) edits in a single pass, as opposed to other gene editing technologies that typically take much longer due to the need to run sequential processes in order to successfully accomplish multiple edits. This capability, in conjunction with our standardized process, drives our timebound and predictable breeding system,” stated Peter Beetham Co-Founder, President and Chief Operating Officer. “We have created a new industry paradigm for the development and commercialization of new traits.”
“We believe that the resulting genetic changes from Cibus’ RTDS process for each crop will be considered a new global class of plant trait products that are regulated similarly to those occurring naturally or that could have been developed through conventional breeding,” commented Rory Riggs, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO. “This is especially important as it means products of our RTDS process are expected be distinguished from any process using transgenic plants and other Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).”
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
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 Cibus' operational performance, Cibus' strategy, future operations, prospects, and plans, including the anticipated receipt of commercial revenues and additional funding.
These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and assumptions of Cibus' management about future events, which are based on currently available information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the control of Cibus. Cibus' actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements could be materially different than those expressed, implied, or anticipated by forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: Cibus' need for additional near-term funding to finance its activities and challenges in obtaining additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; changes in expected or existing competition; challenges to Cibus' intellectual property protection and unexpected costs associated with defending intellectual property rights; increased or unanticipated time and resources required for Cibus' platform or trait product development efforts; Cibus' reliance on third parties in connection with its development activities; challenges associated with Cibus' ability to effectively license its productivity traits and sustainable ingredient products; the risk that farmers do not recognize the value in germplasm containing Cibus' traits or that farmers and processors fail to work effectively with crops containing Cibus' traits; delays or disruptions in the Company's platform or trait product development efforts, particularly with respect to its non-Rice and non-disease projects in light of the Company's realigned strategic priorities; challenges that arise in respect of Cibus' production of high-quality plants and seeds cost effectively on a large scale; Cibus' dependence on distributions from Cibus Global, LLC to pay taxes and cover its corporate and overhead expenses; regulatory developments that disfavor or impose significant burdens on gene-editing processes or products; delays and uncertainties regarding regulatory developments in the European Union; Cibus' ability to achieve commercial success; commodity prices and other market risks facing the agricultural sector; technological developments that could render Cibus' technologies obsolete; changes in macroeconomic and market conditions, including inflation, supply chain constraints, and rising interest rates; dislocations in the capital markets and challenges in accessing liquidity and the impact of such liquidity challenges on Cibus' ability to execute on its business plan; and other important factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Cibus' Annual Report on Form 10-K which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 21, 2024. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.
In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Cibus' views as of the date hereof. Cibus specifically disclaims any obligation to update such forward-looking statements in the future, except as required under applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Cibus' views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
CIBUS CONTACTS:
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Karen Troeber
ktroeber@cibus.com
858-450-2636
Jeff Sonnek – ICR
jeff.sonnek@icrinc.com
MEDIA RELATIONS
media@cibus.com
Colin Sanford
colin@bioscribe.com
203-918-4347
FAQ
What is the new timeline for CBUS to deliver edited traits to customers?
What are the gene editing conversion rates achieved by CBUS in different crops?
What traits has CBUS successfully developed in Rice and Canola?
Did CBUS achieve its 2024 soybean platform development goal?
How will CBUS traits be regulated compared to GMOs?
