EVOGENE LTD. - EVGN STOCK NEWS

Casterra Ag , a subsidiary of Evogene (Nasdaq: EVGN) (TASE: EVGN), has successfully completed its castor growing and harvesting season in Brazil. The castor seeds are scheduled for shipment in Q3 2024. Additionally, the castor harvesting season in Africa has begun as planned, expected to provide the majority of seeds for 2024.

Casterra anticipates meeting all existing orders, totaling approximately $8.4 million, with the combined production from Brazil and Africa. CEO Yoash Zohar highlighted impressive improvements in production capabilities in Brazil and expects similar positive performance in African territories. Casterra is positioned as a leader in industrialized castor farming with its elite varieties, global seed production, and efficient large-scale farming protocols.

Evogene (Nasdaq: EVGN) (TASE: EVGN) has announced a 1-for-10 reverse share split of its issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, expected to be implemented after market close on July 24, 2024. The company's shares will begin trading on a post-reverse split basis on Nasdaq on July 25, 2024, and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on July 28, 2024. Following the split, Evogene will have approximately 5,079,000 Ordinary Shares outstanding, reduced from about 50,790,000. The company's registered share capital will be adjusted to consist of NIS 3,000,000 divided into 15,000,000 Ordinary Shares of NIS 0.2 par value each. No fractional shares will be issued, and proportionate adjustments will be made to outstanding options and RSUs.

ICL and Lavie Bio have made a significant breakthrough in developing bio-stimulants for key row crops facing abiotic stresses. Using artificial intelligence, Lavie Bio identified over a dozen novel microbial candidates with commercial potential as bio-stimulants for crops under extreme weather conditions, including drought. This process, typically taking years, was achieved in just 12 months using Lavie Bio's Biology Driven Design (BDD) technology platform.

The collaboration aims to deliver 5% to 10% yield increases for farmers. The identified microbes met requirements for efficacy, stability, shelf life, and fertilizer compatibility, with a prediction rate ten times higher than industry standards. Field trials in the U.S. and Brazil are planned for the second half of 2024, with results expected by year-end. The regulatory process is set to begin in 2026.

Lavie Bio, a subsidiary of Evogene (Nasdaq: EVGN), announced the commercial expansion of its bio-inoculant product, Yalos™, to winter wheat. Following successful trials, Yalos™ will be available to winter wheat growers across the US for the 2024-2025 season. This expansion doubles the potential market for Yalos™, making it accessible to the substantial winter wheat market, which has an estimated annual value of $5-$10 billion. The trials showed improved crop attributes such as early vigor, biomass, root and shoot development, and nutrient availability. Lavie Bio aims to enhance farm productivity and sustainability with Yalos™ and plans further expansions to other crops like soybean and canola, targeting a commercial launch in 2025.

Casterra Ag , a subsidiary of Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN), announced a new purchase order valued at approximately $440K to supply castor seeds to a new African country. This expansion reflects confidence in Casterra's biofuel market capabilities and leverages Evogene's GeneRator AI tech. The company expects its 900-ton seed production to fulfill this order by Q4 2024. Unfulfilled orders from 2023 and new 2024 orders are anticipated to bring in around $8.4 million in revenue in the second half of 2024. The biodiesel market, estimated at $36.48 billion in 2022, is projected to grow significantly, favoring sustainable biofuel alternatives like Casterra's castor oil, which is compliant with stringent European standards.

Biomica , a subsidiary of Evogene, released promising preliminary data from a Phase 1 trial of BMC128, a microbiome-based immuno-oncology candidate, in combination with nivolumab. This trial involves patients with refractory NSCLC, melanoma, or RCC. Key findings include an exceptional safety profile with no major safety events, 72% of refractory cases showing positive clinical signals, and 64% of patients demonstrating stable disease. Additionally, 55% of patients showed sustained clinical benefits beyond 16 weeks, with some exceeding 80 weeks. The data will be presented at the 2024 ASCO annual meeting.

Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN) reported its Q1 2024 financial results, showing significant improvements. Revenues increased to $4.2M from $0.6M in Q1 2023, driven by Lavie Bio's licensing agreement with Corteva and AgPlenus's collaboration with Bayer. Net loss reduced to $3.8M from $7.0M in the previous year. Projected 2024 cash usage is expected to decrease by 36% to $8.0M. Ceasing Canonic operations will save $1.5M annually. Key developments include Biomica's Phase 1 trial data presentation, Lavie Bio's new collaborations, and AgPlenus's agreement with Bayer.

Casterra Ag has signed new agreements with seed producers in Africa to meet the growing demand for its elite castor seeds. These agreements will support the production of approximately 500 tons of additional seeds, ensuring the fulfillment of orders received in 2023 by the end of 2024.

Together with previous agreements for 400 tons of seeds announced in February, this move positions Casterra to fulfill both current and future demands. The company leverages Evogene's 'GeneRator AI' technology to develop high-yielding, high-oil castor seeds, important for sustainable biofuel production.

Casterra aims to establish a reliable seed production infrastructure, mitigating production risks and reinforcing its market position in the biofuel industry.

Evogene (Nasdaq: EVGN) announces the release of its first quarter 2024 financial results on May 23, 2024. A conference call is scheduled for 9:00 AM ET to discuss the results. Register in advance to join the call.