Cibus Expands its Intellectual Property Coverage for Plant Gene Editing and Traits

Rhea-AI Summary

Cibus (Nasdaq: CBUS), a leading agricultural technology company, announced an expansion of its intellectual property (IP), securing additional patents for 10 plant trait and gene editing families over the past six months. This enhancement strengthens its IP portfolio in key areas like Pod Shatter Reduction (PSR), Herbicide Tolerances (HTs), High Fiber Wheat, and Improved Quality Alfalfa, covering regions including Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, and the US. The patents leverage Cibus' Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS®), including technologies like Gene Repair Oligonucleotides (GRON) and Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN). These advancements highlight Cibus’ capabilities in developing complex traits across multiple crops, reinforcing its strategic growth and product development efforts.

Positive

• Expanded intellectual property coverage for 10 plant trait and gene editing families.
• Strengthened IP portfolio in Pod Shatter Reduction, Herbicide Tolerances, High Fiber Wheat, and Improved Quality Alfalfa.
• Secured patents in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, and the US.
• Utilization of advanced technologies like RTDS®, GRON, and TALEN.
• Recognition of patent offices, validating Cibus' capabilities in gene editing.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Cibus Inc. (Nasdaq: CBUS) has significantly expanded its intellectual property (IP) portfolio, which can be a strong driver of future revenue generation. By patenting cutting-edge technologies in gene editing and plant traits, Cibus is positioning itself for long-term growth. The new patents across diverse geographies strengthen its competitive edge, potentially leading to higher royalty income from seed companies. For retail investors, this signals an enhanced intellectual property moat that can protect and extend Cibus' market leadership.

Despite the positive outlook, it's essential to consider the costs associated with patenting and maintaining these patents globally. Additionally, the successful commercialization of these patents depends on market acceptance and regulatory approvals, which may vary by region.

In summary, while the expansion of the IP portfolio is a positive development, investors should monitor how effectively Cibus translates these patents into revenue and profitability.

Agricultural Scientist

From a scientific perspective, Cibus’ expansion of its gene editing and plant trait patents showcases its innovative capabilities. Technologies like RTDS® and TALEN enable precise modifications in plant genomes, leading to traits such as Pod Shatter Reduction (PSR) in Canola and Herbicide Tolerance (HT) in Rice. These advancements can significantly increase crop yield and resilience, addressing key challenges in agriculture.

However, it’s important to observe the practical application and field performance of these traits. Factors like environmental impact, acceptance by farmers and regulatory hurdles will determine the real-world success of these innovations.

For investors, the scientific robustness of Cibus' technologies can lead to sustainable growth, but it requires careful consideration of execution risks and market dynamics.

Additional patents issued for 10 plant trait and editing families in the past two quarters.

Strengthens Cibus’ intellectual property portfolio in its Pod Shatter Reduction (PSR), Herbicide Tolerances (HTs), High Fiber Wheat and Improved Quality Alfalfa trait families.

SAN DIEGO, June 26, 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 expanded its intellectual property coverage for 10 gene editing and trait families. This intellectual property expansion over the last 6 months covers several areas including gene editing, productivity traits and quality traits, like high fiber wheat, strengthening the Company’s patent coverage in geographies including, but not limited to, Europe (EPO), Asia, Latin America, Canada, and the United States.

Cibus is a leader in the development of complex gene edited traits in plants like Pod Shatter Reduction in Canola and 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 Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) technology.

Greg Gocal, PhD, Co-Founder, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Cibus, commented, “The development of our intellectual property is foundational to our strategy and demonstrates our ability to edit complex traits across multiple crops. We are pleased with the recognition of the patent offices in many countries, who through their decisions have validated our know-how and ability to develop gene edited traits. It is also important that legacy traits received from our merger with Calyxt, Inc., like High Fiber Wheat and Improved Quality Alfalfa are a part of our intellectual property portfolio that includes the use of TALEN technologies.”

Noel Sauer, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research at Cibus, added, “Cibus’ technology team actively supports the Company’s commercial advancement efforts through protection of our trait and gene editing intellectual property. Importantly, protected traits can help accelerate our seed company customers’ timelines to farmer’s fields across global markets.”

The patents announced today solidify Cibus’ depth of intellectual property, driving development of its products and highlighting the strengths of its diversified portfolio of traits. Between Cibus and legacy Calyxt, Cibus now has rights to over 1,000 patents and patents applied for, including core original gene editing patents in agriculture.

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. Cibus has developed a pipeline of five productivity traits including important traits for Pod Shatter Reduction, Sclerotinia (disease) resistance, and weed management. Its initial traits for Pod Shatter Reduction and weed management are in commercial development with leading seed companies such as Nuseed Americas Inc. in Canola as well as Nutrien Ltd. and Interoc S.A. in Rice in the United States and Latin America. 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 recent developments have Cibus (CBUS) made in their intellectual property portfolio?

Cibus has expanded its intellectual property coverage for 10 gene editing and trait families, strengthening its portfolio in areas like Pod Shatter Reduction, Herbicide Tolerances, High Fiber Wheat, and Improved Quality Alfalfa.

Which technologies are being used by Cibus (CBUS) in their new patents?

Cibus' new patents utilize the Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS®), including Gene Repair Oligonucleotides (GRON) and Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) technologies.

Which regions are covered under Cibus' (CBUS) expanded intellectual property?

Cibus' expanded intellectual property covers regions including Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, and the United States.

How many patents does Cibus (CBUS) now hold after their recent IP expansion?

Including the recent IP expansion, Cibus now holds rights to over 1,000 patents and patents applied for.

What crop traits are part of Cibus' (CBUS) strengthened IP portfolio?

Cibus' strengthened IP portfolio includes traits like Pod Shatter Reduction in Canola, Herbicide Tolerances in Rice, High Fiber Wheat, and Improved Quality Alfalfa.