Amaethon Limited, the UK based technology commercialisation business, and BASF Plant Science have signed an agreement covering genes which are involved in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in plants. The payment contract provides BASF Plant Sciences with a non-exclusive research license and option to secure a full commercial license on a group of genes discovered within the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), a research centre based in the University of York.

Dr. Graham P. Howe, CEO of Amaethon, stated “I am delighted to be working with BASF Plant Science, which is an ideal partner for taking such opportunities forward as they are focused upon developing crops with healthy constituents such as PUFAs.”

Professor Ian Graham, Chair of Biochemical Genetics and Deputy Director of CNAP, said “Major nutritional benefits for society will come with the development of vegetable oils with high PUFA content, and I am very pleased that BASF Plant Science can work with us towards this goal.”

About Amaethon Limited

Amaethon, the UK based intellectual property business, was established in 2003 as an innovative partnership between the University of York and IP2IPO Group plc and was created to commercialise the research of CNAP, the flagship plant and microbial gene discovery research centre based in the University of York.

IP2IPO, the Alternative Investment Market listed intellectual property business, invested £1.15m receiving a one third equity stake. In exchange for a two-thirds equity position the University of York granted Amaethon exclusive rights over CNAP’s research for 25 years. In addition, IP2IPO has also committed to make seed capital investments in spin-out companies created by Amaethon based upon CNAP research.

Amaethon operates as an entirely stand-alone business securing licenses, identifying and creating new companies, and capturing and managing industry sponsored research contracts. It is based in the Biosciences Building on the York Science Park, England.

Amaethon’s objective is to become a world leading technology commercialisation company in the field of gene discovery research targeted and the development of economically viable plant and microbial cell factories.

BASF Plant Science

All BASF activities involving plant biotechnology are incorporated in BASF Plant Science. BASF Plant Science coordinates an international research and technology platform with seven sites in four countries in Europe and North America. Using plant biotechnology BASF Plant Science seeks to develop crops that provide a healthier diet through improved constituents as well as plants with improved cultivation properties for example improved tolerance to drought. 

BASF AG

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. BASF’s portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. With new technologies BASF can tap into additional market opportunities. In 2003, BASF had sales of circa $ 42 billion and over 87,000 employees worldwide. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (AN).