KWS SAAT AG and Keygene N.V. announce a long term research collaboration in the field of High Throughput Genotyping. This innovative research started in 2005 by Keygene in collaboration with its shareholder vegetable breeding companies and has already produced several proprietary innovations, like the SNPWave® 90-plex SNP detection assay and the CRoPSTM technology (high throughput sequence based SNP identification after genome complexity reduction). After opening up Keygene's innovation programs for field crop companies, KWS, as a long term contract research partner of Keygene, was an evident first candidate to join. Participation of KWS strengthens the research program at Keygene and enables application of newly developed genotyping technologies in field crops. Under the terms of the agreement KWS will get access to new innovations and knowledge developed in the program for internal research and breeding purposes.

"KWS and Keygene have a long standing business connection in the field of applied research. From the participation in Keygene's research and development program on High Throughput Genotyping technology we expect substantial progress in this fast evolving area, which we think will play an important role in the optimization of future breeding practices", states Dr. G. Strittmatter, Head of Research and Development, KWS SAAT AG.

Arjen van Tunen, CEO of Keygene states: "We are very pleased with the trust vested in Keygene's innovation programs by the leading field crop company KWS. The collaboration gives the possibility to test our innovations in both vegetable and field crops in an early phase of development and will stimulate fast product development and shorter breeding processes."

KWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies with ongoing operations in 70 countries. The KWS Group employs a total of 2,500 people, mostly in Europe and North America. Its range of products includes new varieties of sugar beet, corn and cereal seed as well as oilseeds. KWS has been run as an independent family business for 150 years.

Keygene N.V. is an internationally operating R&D company with the mission to be the leading company in developing and applying DNA expertise in the field of molecular genetics for its shareholder breeding companies. Keygene has developed a strong proprietary technology platform based on AFLP®, SNPWave® and CRoPSTM. Keygene exploits its proprietary technologies, databases and know-how through contract research and products for applications in the Life Sciences. Keygene has five shareholders consisting of major vegetable seed companies: De Ruiter Seeds, ENZA Zaden, Rijk Zwaan, Vilmorin & Cie and Takii & Co. Keygene has around 100 researchers and staff.

The AFLP® technology, SNPWave® technology and CRoPS™ technology are covered by patents and/or patent applications of Keygene N.V.
AFLP and SNPWave are registered trademarks of Keygene N.V. Applications for trademark registration for CRoPS has been filed by Keygene N.V.