Syngenta opens rights to breeding, editing technologies

These rights are accessible through its innovation collaboration platform Shoots by Syngenta.

The rights to certain intellectual property are related to optimized CRISPR-Cas12a as well as to gene-editing enabled breeding tools. Through CRISPR gene-editing, it is possible to deliver an improved plant that does not include DNA from a different species faster and more efficiently than is possible in nature or through conventional breeding methods.

“The power of CRISPR technology has incredible potential to enable crop innovation to deliver value to farmers,” said Gusui Wu, head of global seeds research at Syngenta. “The increased use of CRISPR in agriculture can transform the way we approach plant breeding, accelerating the discovery and deployment of innovations that provide growers more productive and resilient crops. We are inviting universities and academic institutions from around the world to help us drive innovation to improve the sustainability of agriculture.”

Syngenta scientists have continuously improved CRISPR-Cas genome editing technologies. Syngenta’s scientists have engineered CRISPR Cas12a to increase both its efficiency as well as utility, significantly optimizing it as a tool for crop improvement.

Syngenta has long been open to sharing technology with public and private entities.

The Shoots by Syngenta global innovation collaboration platform was created in 2023 with a goal to create partnerships aimed at finding solutions to some of the most complex challenges in food and agriculture. It brings together the external innovation ecosystem — comprising academics, research institutes, and other entities — together with Syngenta’s global network of more than 6,000 scientists, to develop solutions that mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, and better serve smallholder as well as large-scale farmers. The platform is built upon openness and transparency.

“At Syngenta, we truly believe that collaboration accelerates innovation,” said Stuart Harrison, head of global seeds R&D partnerships. “This new initiative has tremendous potential to not only result in exciting technology innovations, but to also drive critical crop solutions that will support farmers worldwide.”