Davis, California and Tienen,
Belgium
April 26, 2007
Crop productivity and
environmental benefits expected from relationship between small,
innovative U.S. company and established European seed company
Arcadia Biosciences Inc.,
an innovative U.S.-based plant biotechnology company and
Belgium-based
SESVanderHave Seeds, the world's second-largest sugar beet
seed company, today announced that they have signed an agreement
to develop and commercialize nitrogen use efficient sugar beet
varieties using Arcadia technology and SESVanderHave seed and
plant breeding capabilities.
Under the agreement SESVanderHave receives an exclusive global
license to develop and commercialize sugar beets using Arcadia's
proprietary Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) technology. Arcadia
receives technology license fees and a share of commercial
revenue from future product sales. The companies will form a
collaboration to optimize research, product development, and
commercial activities.
Commercial sugar beet production is nitrogen-intensive, and
nitrogen fertilizer is one of the largest production costs
incurred by sugar beet farmers. As is the case with most crops,
sugar beets typically absorb less than one-half of applied
nitrogen. Unutilized nitrogen may escape into ground or surface
waters, or be volatilized as nitrous oxide, a highly potent
greenhouse gas.
Because NUE sugar beets will require less nitrogen fertilizer
for production, farmers are expected to benefit from reduced
costs, enhanced yields, and improved profitability - making them
more globally competitive. At the same time, benefits to the
environment are expected from reduced nitrogen emissions.
"Today's sugar beet farmers are under significant cost and
environmental pressure," said John Akers, president and CEO of
SESVanderHave. "Although NUE sugar beets will not be
commercialized for a number of years in the future, we need to
start looking for solutions now if our customers are to remain
competitive and able to do their part to protect our
environment."
"The capabilities and market position of SESVanderHave make them
an ideal partner for the development and commercialization of
NUE technology in sugar beets," said Eric Rey, president and CEO
of Arcadia. "NUE sugar beets will give farmers more choices for
increasing their global competitiveness while benefiting the
environment."
Field tests conducted by Arcadia during five growing seasons in
various U.S. regions demonstrate that NUE crops achieve higher
yields than the control variety, while using as much as
two-thirds less nitrogen fertilizer. Arcadia has also
demonstrated similar results in rice through greenhouse tests.
SESVanderHave, a new company as a result of a merger between
SES and VanderHave, having a 100 percent focus on the
development, production and distribution of higher yielding and
more competitive sugar beet varieties. More then 175 years of
combined experience creates a starting point for a strong
future. A leading company that, as a result of a good
interpretation of the market needs, research and development,
provides a sustainable contribution to sugar beet growing.
Based in Davis, California, USA, Arcadia Biosciences is an
agricultural biotechnology company focused on the development of
agricultural products that improve the environment and enhance
human health. |
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