Icon Genetics Inc. was established in February 1999 to solve the imminent problem of managing genes discovered for use in agricultural biotechnology. The company will bring the speed and efficiency of crop engineering up to that of gene discovery.
 
Many people think a gene can be easily put into a plant and then planted by the farmer. In fact, after the gene is inserted the longest and most difficult part of the process begins. The gene must be moved into varieties of the crop designed to grow in certain areas, or that has specific characteristics. This could mean moving genes into hundreds of different varieties. The process of moving a gene into one of these lines takes many years and is an expensive, labor intensive process.

Genomics, rapid gene sequencing, and determining the function of genes will provide a rapidly increasing number of novel and useful genes for engineering crop plants. For example, better nutritional content, removal of allergens, increased yield, the ability to ward off disease without the use of chemicals production of pharmaceuticals and biosynthesis of biodegradable plastics are just a few of the traits of these new plants.

Icon’s customized technology will be essential for managing these transgenes and for quick introduction of transgenes into commercial lines. Icon’s transgene operating systems will be enabled by a suite of unique technologies. These will include transformation systems, including gene transfer into the nuclear genome and chloroplasts; transgene operating systems based on integrative recombination locus on plant artificial chromosome technology.

Icon Genetics’ products are designed to deliver value to customers by greatly increased trait stacking capacity, greatly improved flexibility in addressing needs of specific customers and market segments, shorter time to market, increased R&D efficiency, improved products and better product safety and quality control.

The company was founded by three leading plant scientists. Yuri Gleba, Ph.D., CEO of Icon Genetics, has 28 years of research and management experience in plant genetics and biotechnology. He founded the International Institute of Cell Biology, Kiev, Ukraine, in 1988 and is still serving as its Director. Dr. Gleba was a co-founder of Photosynthetic Harvest Inc.(now Phytomedics Inc.) in 1997. Dr. Gleba left American Cyanamid in 1999 to co-found Icon Genetics. Newell Bascomb, Ph.D., President of Icon Genetics, Inc. has 13 years of experience in both management and research in biochemistry, cell biology and many other aspects of agricultural biotechnology. Dr. Bascomb left American Cyanamid in 1999 to co-found Icon Genetics. Hans-Ulrich Koop, Ph.D., has over 14 years of experience in science management. Dr. Koop is currently Professor at the Institute of Botany, University of Munich.