Origin Agritech Files for Approval for Gene Edited Corn Traits that Increase Yields

Rhea-AI Summary

Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) announced the submission of biosafety applications for six new gene-edited corn traits that enhance yield. These traits improve leaf angle and drought tolerance, increasing photosynthesis efficiency and water use. Following China's streamlined approval process for gene-edited crops, which could reduce the typical timeline from eight years for GMOs to one year, Origin's new corn is among the first of its kind in the approval pipeline. The company aims to address global food security challenges with these innovations.

Positive

• Submitted applications for six gene-edited traits expected to significantly boost corn yields.
• New traits enhance photosynthesis efficiency and drought tolerance.
• China's expedited approval process for gene-edited crops may lead to faster market entry compared to GMOs.

Negative

• None.

BEIJING, March 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) (the "Company" or "Origin"), an agriculture technology company, announced today that the company, together with its partner China Agricultural University, has submitted applications for biosafety certificates for six newly developed gene edited traits that significantly increase the yield of corn crops.

The new traits include change of the leaf angle and improvement in drought tolerance of corn. Changing the leaf angle and plant types will improve the photosynthesis efficiency and increase the planting population, which in turn increases yields. The new traits will also improve the water use efficiency and drought tolerance for corn plants. Origin is currently integrating these traits into its commercial hybrid corns, including the company's nutritionally enhanced corn. 

In late January, China announced that the country would allow gene edited crops and that the approval process would be very streamlined as compared to the process for getting a new GMO trait approved. The policy reflects the fact that gene editing mimics naturally occurring mutations and that no foreign species' genes are inserted into the plant, in contrast to GMO. The resulting timeline for approval could be as fast as a year as compared to an 8-year approval timeline for GMO traits. Origin's new corn is one of the first gene edited corn in the approval process in China.

Origin began creating gene edited corn traits in 2017 and already has developed many other desirable traits. Additionally, Origin's insect resistant and herbicide tolerant GMO corn is also in the approval process. All of these traits could be integrated into these corn crops as well, further increasing yields.

"Given the current challenges facing the world of food inflation, environmental change and uncertainty of food exports from certain countries due to geopolitical events, we are thrilled to be playing a major role in improving food security," said Dr. Gengchen Han, Origin Agritech's Chairman. "Origin will release and market more high yield and environmentally friendly products to meet the food supply challenges through our wide collection of corn germplasm, advanced gene editing capabilities and also GMO technology."

About Origin Agritech Limited

Origin Agritech Limited, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park in Beijing, is a leading Chinese agricultural technology company. In crop seed biotechnologies, Origin Agritech's phytase corn was the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China's Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, Origin has established a robust biotechnology seed pipeline including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits. For further information, please visit the Company's website at: www.originagritech.com. The company also maintains a twitter account for updating investors on company and industry developments, which is @origin_agritech.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and contain words like "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "will," "would," "target," and similar expressions and variations. Forward-looking statements address matters that are uncertain. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on assumptions and expectations which may not be realized. They are based on management's current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry in which the Company operates but involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control. Some of the important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements are: failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; ability to respond to market acceptance, rules, regulations and policies affecting our products; failure to appropriately manage process safety and product stewardship issues; changes in laws and regulations or political conditions; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, interest and currency exchange rates; business or supply disruptions; natural disasters and weather events and patterns; ability to protect and enforce the company's intellectual property rights; and separation of underperforming or non-strategic assets or businesses. The company undertakes no duty or obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of future developments, or new information or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

For further information:

Kirin Smith
President, PCG Advisory
646-823-8656

Joe Ramelli
Director of Investor Relation
Phone: 310-845-6238
Email: joe@originagritech.com

 

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SOURCE Origin Agritech Limited

FAQ

What gene-edited traits has Origin Agritech filed for approval?

Origin Agritech filed for six gene-edited traits that improve corn yield, including enhanced leaf angle and drought tolerance.

How long will it take for Origin Agritech's new corn traits to be approved?

The approval process for Origin Agritech's gene-edited corn traits could take as little as one year, significantly shorter than the eight-year timeline for GMOs.

What is the significance of Origin Agritech's announcement regarding corn yields?

The announcement highlights Origin's role in enhancing food security through agricultural technology amid global food inflation and supply challenges.

How does Origin Agritech's gene-editing process differ from traditional GMOs?

Origin's gene-editing mimics natural mutations without inserting foreign genes, making the approval process simpler and faster.