Celia Lamb
Sacramento Business Journal via Agnet April 21/04 - II
 
Ventria Bioscience of Sacramento, turned down by regulators in its recent bid to start commercially producing its genetically altered rice in California, still, according to this story, plans to put its first product on the market in about two years. Even if that means moving operations to another state or country.

Ventria president and chief executive officer Scott Deeter, was quoted as saying, "The time frame is such that we can step back and say, 'OK, let's look at what works for us.' California's regulatory process is one of the challenges this state faces for biotechnology products."

The story says that warnings of moves to friendlier terrain are common when businesses face off with regulators and legislators, but Ventria's plans for its modified rice -- designed to produce proteins for therapeutic use -- have been the subject of international scrutiny and organized opposition that raise the stakes for the local biotech startup.

One week ago the state Department of Food and Agriculture rejected Ventria's application to grow 120 acres of its biotech rice in California, double what it grew last year. The rejection sends the application back to a California Rice Commission advisory board for public review. Ventria also lacks a U.S. Department of Agriculture permit it would need to grow the crop.

Deeter was further cited as saying he expects the company will receive approvals from both the state and federal agencies in time to plant a crop this year, but if not, waiting until next year wouldn't delay product development. Ventria, he said, can scale up its rice production more than 50-fold in one growing season.

The company may also consider growing its rice outside of California. Deeter said possibilities include Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Florida or even South America, which has a winter growing season.