research project with The Samuel Roberts
Noble Foundation, co-sponsored by Forage Genetics, Inc. (a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Research Seeds, Inc.)
to improve the quality and digestibility of forage crops. This project is one
of the first directed toward the identification, engineering and activation of
whole biochemical pathways in plants. The initial target crop for the research
is alfalfa because of its high-protein content and importance in animal feed
and nutrition.
Under the terms of the sponsored research agreement with
the Noble Foundation, Akkadix will provide research support and its
bioinformatics and genomics platform for identification of genes involved in
the pathways. The Noble Foundation will utilize the functional genomic
resources it has developed for the model legume plant, Medicago truncatula,
to rapidly and efficiently evaluate many candidate genes in vivo. The
results of the research will extend beyond modulation of nutritional
phytochemcials in forage crops, and will be applicable to other commercially
important crops as well.
In return for its support of the research project, Akkadix
will have access to developments arising under the program for use in
nutriceuticals and nematode control applications. In addition, Akkadix will
have the right to utilize the databases that are created as part of the
planned Research for gene searches and other discoveries outside the scope of
the Research Project.
Dr. Richard A. Dixon, Director of the Plant Biology
Division at The Noble Foundation and one of the projects co-principal
investigators explained, "This unique program will expand the scientific
knowledge of plant pathway biology and lead to new methods for improving plant
traits. Alfalfa was chosen as the initial target for this research because it
is one of the most important forage crops for protein in animal feed.
Understanding and modulating important phytochemical pathways in alfalfa will
be extremely important for improved animal nutrition."
Dr. Leo Kim, Executive President and Chief Technical
Officer of Akkadix, stated, "Akkadix is going beyond genomics to focus on
plant pathway biology and the development of the next generation of
agricultural products. This important project will have significant
implications for the utilization of pathway engineering to enhance nutrition
and other important plant characteristics." Adds Kim, "We are
pleased to be participating in this project with The Noble Foundation, one of
the world’s premier agricultural biotechnology research centers, and Forage
Genetics, Inc., a leading developer, producer and marketer of Alfalfa
varieties. This project is part of Akkadix’s continuing efforts to network
with the best scientific minds and organizations in agricultural biotechnology
to advance the frontier in new areas of plant science."
Previously, Akkadix had announced that it had used its
proprietary Menagerie™ software and ProteomeBank™ database to identify
novel protein functions in the cholera pathogen, Vibrio cholerae, and
in Xylella fastidiosa, the cause of citrus variegated chlorosis. These
two programs, which will be used in connection with this project, provide
Akkadix with a powerful automated system for the rapid prediction of gene and
protein functions from DNA sequence information. This is a critical component
for the translation of gene sequence information into gene utility
information. Knowledge of specific gene utility is a necessary prerequisite
for both (i) obtaining patent protection (under interim and proposed final
U.S. Patent Office rules) and (ii) developing new or improved products
In August, Akkadix and Pangene Corporation of Palo Alto,
California announced the signing of an agreement licensing Pangene’s
enhanced Homologous Recombination (eHR) technologies to Akkadix for use in the
plant science field. These technologies, which are being incorporated into
Akkadix’s Genome Enhancement Methods ("GEMs") for plant genome
improvement, are expected to facilitate the application of the scientific
developments arising under this project. The GEMs technologies enable rapid
and precise gene recombination, gene isolation and gene sequence insertions,
deletions or replacements.
Akkadix Corporation is a global agricultural biotechnology
company using gene discovery, functional genomics, bioinformatics, homologous
recombination, plant breeding and other technologies for the discovery and
delivery of novel plant traits which improve health and safety, increase
production, lower costs, help preserve the environment and create new
opportunities for clearly defined agricultural products.
Equity funding for Akkadix Corporation has come from
venture capital investments by Bay City Capital Fund I, L.P, North American
Nutrition and Agribusiness Fund, LP (which is also managed by Bay City
Capital, LLC.), and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. Corporate
shareholders include Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Forage Genetics, Inc. and
Pangene Corporation. For more information about Akkadix, visit Akkadix web
site at http://www.akkadix.com.
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, headquartered in
Ardmore, Oklahoma, is a non-profit organization conducting agricultural,
forage biotechnological, and plant biology research; providing grants to
numerous non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and
assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative
agricultural programs.
Forage Genetics, Inc. is a world leader in the research,
development, production and marketing of value-added alfalfa technologies.
Research Seeds, Inc. has been recognized as a worldwide leader in the
development, production and marketing of proprietary forage and turf seed
enhancements for over 30 years.
