Dow AgroSciences announced today that it has obtained a commercial license to PureSpiral(TM)* technology for improving the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and the Multi-Left-Border technology** for preventing unexpected vector integration into plant genome by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, both owned by Japan Tobacco Inc. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Dow AgroSciences, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the health and quality of life of the world's growing population.  Dow AgroSciences has approximately 5,700 people in more than 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of more than US $3 billion.  Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. 

Japan Tobacco Inc. is the world's third largest international manufacturer of tobacco products.  Since its privatization in 1985, JT has actively diversified its operations into pharmaceuticals and foods.  The company net sales were JPY 4.492 trillion yen [41MM USD] in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003.

*PureSpiral(TM) is a trademark of Japan Tobacco Inc., which represents technologies for improving the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

**Multi-Left-Border Technology is a Japan Tobacco proprietary technology for preventing unexpected vector integration into plant genome by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.