Effort will leverage corn genetics expertise and mini-chromosome technology for improved agronomic and performance characteristics in corn

Chromatin Inc., today announced that it has launched a joint program with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to accelerate the development of mini-chromosome technology for the efficient and effective delivery of multiple traits in corn.

“ This corn program will dramatically accelerate Chromatin’s mini-chromosome technology through the impact of world-class corn researchers, state of the art facilities, and a supportive community,” said Mich Hein, president and CEO of Chromatin. “The Urbana-Champaign site will provide depth and flexibility for the company's ongoing internal program as well as collaborative programs with industry and academia.”
Chromatin began leasing space at the EnterpriseWorks incubator on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on February 1. The company will be accessing both laboratory and greenhouse space.

As part of its relationship with the university, Chromatin has entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement with Stephen Moose, University of Illinois assistant professor of maize functional genomics/genetics. The partnership will leverage Moose's expertise in corn breeding and genetics and the application of Chromatin's mini-chromosome technology for the development of improved agronomic and performance characteristics in corn.

" Mini-chromosome technology represents an innovative and elegant approach to the challenge of identifying important genes, developing new products, and accelerating the breeding of new lines to benefit growers, processors and consumers. I look forward to collaborating with Chromatin and its team and to contributing to this exciting effort," said Moose.

Chromatin has constructed numerous corn mini-chromosomes and studied their performance in cell culture and plant systems. The program at UIUC is part of the company’s effort to move its corn mini-chromosomes into evaluation for commercial development.

" The collaboration between Chromatin and the University of Illinois is strong and will continue to prosper. The university is excited to further the research interests of our faculty and staff, to advance the educational needs of our students, and to address challenges of commercial interest to one of the state's largest economic sectors: agriculture,” said Charles Zukoski, vice chancellor for research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “The opportunity to attract Chromatin to Champaign Urbana is made possible by state and university commitments to building incubator space, facilitating faculty-corporate interactions and establishing and sustaining a research park. We look forward to collaborating with Chromatin as its advances this important technology for agriculture."

Illinois farmers produce 16% of the nation’s corn crop. And corn is the most important field crop in the U.S. in terms of volume and cash receipts with a total projected production of 9.4 billion bushels in 1999 and a value of approximately $17.9 billion. It is estimated that in 2003, roughly 40 percent of planted acres in the seven key corn states utilized genetically modified corn.

" Chromatin's commitment of additional resources for the development of their corn program certainly mirrors our own belief that mini-chromosomes will bring great value to corn growers,” said Nathan Danielson, director of business development, National Corn Growers Association.

Last October, Chromatin announced that it successfully raised $7.3 million in a Series B round of financing. Investors include the National Corn Growers Association, IllinoisVENTURES, Unilever Technology Ventures, Burrill & Company, Venture Investors and Foragen. IllinoisVENTURES invests in early stage companies through its Illinois Emerging Technologies Fund, a venture fund focusing on university-derived technologies, particularly those developed at the University of Illinois.

“ The collaboration with Urbana-Champaign marks another important milestone for the company as it continues to devote its resources to creation of value in commercial crops,” said Robert Shapiro, an investor in Chromatin and former chairman of Monsanto Co.

Chromatin, Inc., develops and markets novel proprietary technology that enables entire chromosomes to be designed and incorporated into plant cells. These engineered chromosomes make it possible for the first time to simultaneously introduce multiple genes into a plant cell while maintaining precise control of gene expression. Chromatin is employing these new genetic tools to design and market products that confer commercially valuable traits in plants, including improved nutritional and health characteristics, and can be used for industrial, agricultural and pharmaceutical product development.