Agragen, LLC, a Cincinnati-based plant sciences company, announced the licensing of a family of patents from DuPont Pioneer that focuses on technology for manipulating the fatty acid profile in plants. Agragen is developing a high-yield camelina, commonly known as false flax, which will produce the same bioactive omega-3 fatty acids as found in fish oil.
“By sustainably producing these bioactive fatty acids, which are so important for human health and disease, we can reduce the strain on their traditional, marine-based sources,” says Sam Huttenbauer, Jr., chief development officer of Agragen. “Licensing this technology from DuPont Pioneer will allow us to make a major step toward bringing this long-held corporate goal to fruition.”
Tony Kinney, research director for DuPont Pioneer, adds that the company has a long history of collaborations that advance science. “It’s gratifying to know our technology for modifying plant oils could further Agragen’s on-going efforts to find a renewable source of omega-3 fatty acids,” he says.
Agragen also recently licensed technology from The University of Hong Kong that will enable its on-going efforts to improve camelina yield and enhance its drought tolerance.
“Combining these two technologies gives Agragen a global leadership position in producing heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in camelina, in a highly economical manner,” says Eric J. Murphy, chief science officer, Agragen. “When developing a sustainable product, we know adoption often depends on the product’s potential for profit. By combining these technologies with the DuPont Pioneer technology, the yield per acre over traditional camelina will be enhanced, providing a logistical and agronomic advantage over others in this space.”
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
