Agritope, Inc. today announced the issuance of three new US patents for its biotechnology. The patents cover a promoter to regulate the expression of genes in plants, a novel protein to detect a new strain of grapevine leafroll virus infection in grape plants and a strain of Bacillus that is effective against plant fungal and bacterial infections. 

The newly patented promoter, called dru-1, is activated in fruit in response to the presence of ethylene. When active, dru-1 causes Agritope's SAMase gene to inhibit the production of ethylene, thus slowing down the ripening process. 

The new grapevine leafroll test provides an additional means of assuring that customers of Agritope's grapevine nursery, Vinifera, Inc., receive the best available plants. Grapevine leafroll disease is associated with reduced yield, delayed ripening, altered fruit color and reduced sugar content. Grapevine propagation material produced by Vinifera is screened for a number of diseases including grapevine leafroll virus. 

"The issuance of these new patents further validates the innovation and success of our technology development process. The newly patented promoter joins our group of proprietary promoters that are useful in applying our ethylene control technology to produce fruits and vegetables with longer shelf-life,'' said Adolph J. Ferro, president and chief executive officer. "Another mark of our technological excellence is the development of a test to detect the presence of the new strain of grapevine leafroll virus, a disease that, in terms of adverse economic term impact, is one of the most serious diseases in the grape industry. The third patent is in an area outside of our focus, so it has been licensed to AgraQuest, Inc.'' 

AgraQuest of Davis, California, is a biopesticide company that currently markets two crop protection products: Serenade(TM), a biofungicide for use on crop plants and Laginex(TM), a larvicide used for mosquito control. AgraQuest intends to apply for U.S. registration of this bacterium-based biofungicide under the trade name Sonata(TM). 

Agritope's patent portfolio now consists of 15 issued US Patents, 7 foreign patents as well as
applications for an additional 39 patents, which are currently pending. For the first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1999, Agritope reported total revenues increased 156% to $601,000 compared to $235,000 in the like quarter a year ago. The net loss for the quarter was $1.32 million, or $.32 per share (basic and diluted), compared to a loss of $1.26 million, or $.31 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 1998. 

Agritope is an Oregon-based agricultural functional genomics and biotechnology company that
develops improved plant products and provides technology to the agricultural industry. Its fruit and
vegetable division specializes in the development of improved fruit, vegetable and flower varieties.
Agrinomics LLC, its 50% owned joint venture with Aventis CropScience, conducts a research,
development and commercialization program in the field of plant functional genomics. Vinifera, Inc., its majority owned subsidiary, offers superior grapevine plants to the premium wine industry together with disease testing and elimination services. 

Company news release
N2534