Hayward, California and Vega,
Texas
June 17, 2008
MMR Genetics,
Richardson Seeds,
and Mendel Biotechnology
yesterday announced a collaborative agreement to jointly
research, develop and breed new cultivars for the emerging
second-generation biofuels market.
MMR Genetics and Mendel will jointly establish a bioenergy
nursery, which will be used to breed new, high-performing
sorghum cultivars with unique biofuels characteristics.
Richardson Seeds will produce commercial quantities of selected
cultivars.
"Mendel’s goal is to become the premier provider of
differentiated, elite germplasm to the bioenergy market,” said
Neal Gutterson, Mendel’s president and chief executive officer.
“MMR Genetics has demonstrated superior breeding capabilities in
its existing forage business. We are delighted to have MMR and
Richardson as partners in sorghum, a crop that will be an
important feedstock for these markets.”
"Sorghum has the genetic potential - because of its yield
capacities, adaptation ranges, and germplasm diversity - to
provide superior second-generation biofuels and assist in
alleviating dependence on fossil energy sources,” said Dr. Fred
Miller, senior sorghum breeder and owner of MMR Genetics. “MMR
Genetics and Mendel will be able to move our high quality forage
and biomass programs to exciting new levels through our
association by creating tailor-made commercial feedstocks for
these new markets.”
Under the terms of the agreement, MMR Genetics will contribute
germplasm, breeding know-how and services, and nursery
operations; Mendel will provide funding and research and
breeding assistance and will have exclusive commercial rights to
selected cultivars. Richardson Seeds will provide seed
production research and produce commercial quantities of
selected cultivars. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Mendel Biotechnology, Inc., has been a pioneer in the
application of functional genomics to the study of plant genes.
Mendel is also a pioneer for the production of dedicated energy
crops critical for second generation biofuels. Mendel has
identified and patented the use of genes that control many
aspects of plant growth and development, and is using such
inventions to develop or co-develop new plant varieties with
improved productivity and quality. Mendel has relationships with
leading agricultural, energy, forestry and horticulture
companies for the commercialization of improved seed and plant
products, and is developing new seed and feedstock products for
the emerging bioenergy market.
MMR Genetics, Ltd. is the leading independent developer of
parental lines for grain and forage sorghums. MMR Genetics
provides F1 grain and forage sorghum hybrids for visual
observation and evaluation. However, MMR Genetics does not
produce hybrids for direct market sale. Only the parental (male
and female) inbred lines are licensed by MMR Genetics for
third-party marketing.
Richardson Seeds, Ltd. has been a proven, dependable, hybrid
sorghum producer for more than 50 years. They specialize in
hybrid grain sorghum, hybrid forage sorghum, hybrid sorghum x
sudan, and hybrid millet. Richardson Seeds, Ltd. is also
headquarters for MMR Genetics, Ltd.
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