Calyxt, Inc. has licensed a new method to help increase plant gene editing efficiency from the University of Minnesota. The method has the potential to reduce the time needed to edit plants from approximately one year to several months.
This breakthrough, co-invented by Dan Voytas, the co-founder of Calyxt and the University of Minnesota Professor of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, is an example of the opportunistic synergies that Calyxt has with the University of Minnesota to put into commercial practice some of the technical discoveries coming out of the University’s research programs. This new technology could help Calyxt bring consumer-desired products, like better tasting plant proteins, to the market faster.
“It is extremely rewarding to see research performed at the University of Minnesota result in technologies that can be used by Calyxt to accelerate the production of gene edited crop varieties,” says Calyxt chief science officer, Dan Voytas.
“Leveraging cutting-edge technology that enables new and faster ways to enhance the power of plants is our goal at Calyxt,” says Calyxt CEO, Jim Blome. “We’re committed to making a difference by developing plants that will improve health and sustainability for people and the planet, and our product pipeline reflects the opportunities that we hope to seize.”
The company expects to launch at least six product candidates from now through 2024, including a hemp product candidate in 2020, an alfalfa product in 2021 through its collaboration with S&W Seed Company, a high fiber wheat product candidate as early as 2022, and four additional product candidates either via the company’s integrated business model or in collaboration with third parties.
