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Canada's
National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute
(NRC-PBI) and Dow AgroSciences Canada
sign C$10 million strategic alliance in plant biotechnology
- Alliance builds upon research successes
in canola enhancement |
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
May 5, 2005
The
National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute
(NRC-PBI) and
Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. (DASCI) have signed a
five-year strategic alliance. This research agreement, with
contributions by the parties valued at $10 million over five
years, builds on a previous five-year $10 million agreement
in the area of canola, demonstrating a commitment of $20
million over 10 years to NRC-PBI research.
The research
goals of the strategic alliance include diversification of
oilseed crops to produce new oil profiles for industry and
health, as well as improved canola meal for application in
the animal feed industry. The agreement also includes
research into the development of plant lines that produce
valuable proteins such as vaccines.
In 1999, NRC
and DASCI signed a five-year agreement for research into
canola. This prior collaboration led to significant
discoveries, including the development of canola plants
which produce higher levels of oil and canola meal with
reduced levels of anti-nutritional factors.
"Dow AgroSciences Canada's continued commitment to NRC plant
biotechnology research demonstrates the value of our
partnership," said NRC President Pierre Coulombe. "We will
be building upon our previous success to help give Canada a
competitive edge in today's global economy."
"This renewed
commitment from Dow AgroSciences Canada to the activities of
NRC-PBI reflects our continued belief in the talent and
world class research that has been a hallmark of NRC-PBI's
history in western Canada" said Dow AgroSciences Canada's
President and CEO Rick Smith. "Together our organizations
have a focused commitment to redefining the role of canola,
both as a key agronomic crop grown in Canada and as a major
economic contributor to the health of our agricultural
export marketplace. If we assume the next five years will be
as successful as the last five have been, the future for
canola is exciting indeed."
"NRC looks
forward to continuing our relationship with Dow AgroSciences
Canada. The NRC-PBI and Dow AgroSciences partnership has
already led to important advances in canola research that we
hope to transform into commercial realities and new products
for Canadians," said Dr. Kutty Kartha, Director General of
the NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute.
Recognized
globally for research and innovation,
Canada's National
Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of
an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through
science and technology. As a part of NRC, the
NRC Plant
Biotechnology Institute (NRC-PBI) conducts collaborative
plant biotechnology research with universities, government
agencies, and industry, helping to transfer research to
product development and commercialization.
Dow AgroSciences LLC, 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 5,500 people in more than
50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide
sales of US $3.4 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned
indirect subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.
Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. provides solutions in weed,
insect and disease management and plant genetics including
Nexera* canola, for Canadian growers, ranchers, foresters
and industrial vegetation managers. With over 140 employees
throughout Canada, Dow AgroSciences is headquartered in
Calgary.
*Trademark
of Dow AgroSciences LLC
Other news from
The
National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute
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