Vilmorin & Cie and KWS announced today the conclusion of additional long-term licensing agreements with Syngenta. They authorize Vilmorin & Cie, KWS and their common joint-ventures Genective (upstream research company) and AgReliant (North America. Field seeds) on a separate and independent basis, to make commercial use of current and future genetically improved corn traits developed and marketed by Syngenta. They also give them the possibility to complement the Genective corn traits platform.
The upfront payments made by the respective companies are totaling 200 million US dollars. Further payments depending on regulatory approvals may mature in the long run.
The agreements strengthen the ability of Vilmorin & Cie to deliver also in future high competitive products to its customers, in addition to the existing long-term trait licensing agreements.
“Vilmorin & Cie considers these global trait licensing agreements with Syngenta a strong addition to its Field Seeds product portfolio for the markets where corn GM traits are established or will develop in the coming years. The ability to combine our highly competitive proprietary germplasm with a wider range of leading GM corn traits, including those of Genective, will increase the number of options offered to our corn customers around the world, helping them to meet future production challenges.
With these agreements, Vilmorin & Cie complements its technology platform and strengthens its strategy to deliver its own GM corn traits in the coming years.” Emmanuel Rougier, CEO of Vilmorin & Cie, commented.
