Keygene N.V. and Plant Research International B.V. have agreed on a long-term collaboration concerning the use of Keygene’s AFLP^® technology in molecular marker and gene expression studies.

The framework agreement facilitates that Plant Research International can use the AFLP^® technology in house for basic research and via Keygene Genetics services for its commercial projects. The result is that customers will benefit from the broad knowledge base of Plant Research International and the specific expertise of Keygene. Many research collaborations have been established between Plant Research International and Keygene in the past and the signing of this general agreement will enhance future cooperation and common marketing of two in Wageningen located service and contract research providers.

"This agreement will streamline the interaction between Plant Research International and Keygene with respect to the application of the AFLP^® fingerprint technology in our projects. It allows us to broaden the scope of the molecular marker projects that we offer our customers", says Prof. Dr. Martin Kropff, Director of Plant Research International.

Keygene’s CEO, Prof. Dr. Hans Dons, adds that the agreement creates a greater transparency to customers for molecular marker services with respect to the application of the proprietary AFLP^® technology, for which Keygene acquired a world-wide patent position.

"Combining the complementary skills of both organizations enables us to generate more added value for our customers," says Dr. Johan Peleman, general manager of the Keygene Genetics business unit.

Note for the editors:

Plant Research International is a renowned institute that combines leading-edge scientific research results with innovation and an acute eye for business. In addition, it offers next-generation facilities and technologies, plus a genuine global outlook.

The research facilities at Plant Research International are among the most modern in the world. They range from laboratories with robotic genomics equipment to greenhouses and growing rooms that are customized to research requirements.

Plant Research International works within the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen UR, together with Applied Plant Research (PPO) and Wageningen University.

As a result, the institute offers clients direct access to the fundamental research and education opportunities of Wageningen University, the innovative research of PPO, and the knowledge, expertise and products of the other science groups within Wageningen UR.

Keygene N.V. is a leading R&D company focusing on the structure and function of genetic information and serving customers in the field of applied genetics. Keygene has developed a strong proprietary technology platform based on AFLP^®, a DNA marker technology for genome analysis and genetic analysis. Keygene has developed GeneDiscloser^TM, a robust high-throughput transcript profiling technology and SNPWave^TM a multiplex SNP detection technology. Keygene applies and exploits AFLP^® and other proprietary technologies and genomic databases through contract research, services and products for wide applications in the life sciences industry.