Agritope, Inc. today announced the issuance of three U.S. patents covering several of the company's proprietary promoters and their use in regulating expression of genes in plants. "These patents add to Agritope's broad collection of promoters useful in the application of Agritope's proprietary technology for extending the post harvest shelf life of fruits and vegetables,'' stated Adolph J. Ferro, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer.

Ferro added, "These new patents further strengthen Agritope's intellectual property position in
the area of promoters and regulated gene expression and confirm our leadership in the application of plant biotechnology to fruits and vegetables for the benefit of growers, shippers, processors, retailers and consumers. Our primary strategic objective is to develop novel technologies that can, in turn, produce improved plant varieties. Protection of those technologies through the patent process is a key element of that strategy.''

The patents, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,783,393, 5,783,394 and 5,859,330, cover six specific promoters as well as related DNA sequences used to express genes in plants. These technologies also cover methods for regulating gene expression in plants as well as transgenic plants and fruits. Agritope's patent portfolio now consists of 12 US patents and 4 foreign patents. In addition, applications for 36 patents are pending.

Agritope, Inc. is an Oregon-based agricultural biotechnology company that develops improved plant products and provides technology to the agricultural industry.

Company news release
N1848