Syngenta teams up with Rijk Zwaan to boost innovation - FreshFruitPortal.com

Syngenta teams up with Rijk Zwaan to boost innovation

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Syngenta teams up with Rijk Zwaan to boost innovation

Swiss multinational Syngenta (VTX: SYNN) and Netherlands-headquartered breeding companyĀ Rijk Zwaan have signed an extensive cross-license agreement on native traits in vegetables.Ā shutterstock_77172400

Under the agreement, the parties provide each other the right to use biological material that falls under the scope of their patents for both breeding and commercial purposes in vegetables.

Rijk Zwaan said the dealĀ increased the possibilities for both companies to develop new and improved vegetable varieties by making use of each other's innovations. A full breeders' exemption has been established between the parties for such patents.

The agreement comes as the direct result ofĀ dialogues that led to the foundation of the International Licensing Platform (ILP), of which both companies areĀ founding members.

The ILP makes vegetable-related innovations widely available to breeders by an open access approach that offers members access to patents on native traits under 'fair and reasonable conditions'.

"Securing continuous access to breeding material and novel traits is one of our main priorities. It forms the foundation from which to create novel, innovative varieties with strong benefits for both growers and consumers,"Ā SyngentaĀ head of vegetablesĀ David Morgan said in a release.

"This license deal with Rijk Zwaan brings together two innovation pipelines to allow faster delivery of novel vegetable varieties to the market.Ā Syngenta believesĀ that beneficial traits and technologies should be accessible to plant breeders around the world. In this respect the company has also launched its own e-licensing platform.

"This allows for plant breeders, companies and public research institutes around the globe to access the companyā€™s portfolio of patented native traits present in commercial vegetables varieties to develop the diverse crop varieties farmers require and consumers enjoy."

Meanwhile, Rijk Zwaan director Ben Tax said the dealĀ was a 'clear win-win' and one that was excellent for growers and consumers alike.

"Open innovation in breeding is essential for the global food supply," he said.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

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