JANUARY 2019 SEEDWORLD.COM / 91 findings could lead to ways to fine-tune the gene’s activity to boost disease resistance, pointing towards more resilient crop breeds or new treatments for infections. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh studied how, when plants are under attack from bacteria or viruses, they produce tiny amounts of a gas known as nitric oxide. This gas accumulates in plant cells and triggers a response from the plant’s immune system. BUSINESS NEWS Industry veterans Douglas Sterkel and Joseph Crotty announced Sterkel Crotty Investment Banking, providing specialized global advisory services for the agribusiness, life sciences, technology and food industries. Corteva Agriscience at its investor day in New York City, outlined its plans to become a global pure-play agriculture company following its intended separation from DowDuPont on June 1, 2019. The sessions were led by future Chief Executive Officer, James C. Collins, Jr. Inari introduced the world’s first Seed Foundry as part of the company’s mission to reintroduce genetic diversity, revolutionize the seed industry and create a food system that is environmentally responsible, promotes better health and is more resilient. KWS is creating more space to cope with the increase in its research activities by investing around €20 million in a new, cutting-edge laboratory and office building at its headquarters in Einbeck. Arcadia Biosciences and Ardent Mills announced a collaboration to develop and commercialize innovative wheat varieties. The first project focuses on extending the shelf life and improving the flavor of whole wheat products. S&W Seed Company announced it has acquired certain assets and assigned contracts of Chromatin, a U.S.-based sorghum operator which entered into receivership earlier this year. The purchase price was $26.5 million. Illumina, Inc. and Pacific Biosciences announced they have signed an agreement for Illumina to acquire Pacific Biosciences at a price of $8 per Pacific Biosciences share in an all-cash transaction. This price represents a premium of 71 percent to Pacific Biosciences’ 30 trading day volume weighted average share price as of the market close on October 31 and a total enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion on a fully diluted basis. PEOPLE NEWS AgriThority appointed Erol Karkan and István Szabó as Regional Managers to serve clients in Europe with new biotechnology developments across the continent. Karkan and Szabó will lead business development and management for clients in their regions. They will manage product and field development services to test, evaluate and commercialize new technologies in global markets. Agrinos announced Matthias Schulze will join the company as executive vice president, Europe and Africa. Schulze will lead the Europe and Africa business unit, overseeing all aspects