BEIJING, June 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ:
SEED) (the "Company" or "Origin"), a leading Chinese agricultural
technology company, today announced the publication of a
groundbreaking research article in the prestigious scientific
journal Nature, titled "Maize Smart Canopy Architecture
Enhances Yield at High Densities." This study is the first
to successfully achieve fixed-point improvement of leaf angle in
maize inbred lines using maize induction line gene editing
technology.
The article can be found by visiting
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07669-6.
Origin, through its subsidiary Hainan Aoyu Biotech Limited,
cooperated with China Agricultural University and pioneered
establishing the world's first efficient genetic transformation
system for maize induction line Hi3. This innovative system enables
the rapid editing of major maize inbred lines across various
genetic backgrounds. By breaking the technical barrier of improving
maize inbred lines through gene editing, this method allows for
precise enhancements to the shape of maize inbred lines within a
single year. Compared with traditional backcrossing and
breeding techniques, Hi3 can save 3-4 years of time without the
influence of linked genes.
China is accelerating the
commercialization of gene editing traits and has approved gene
editing biosafety certificates for corn, soybeans, and wheat.
The commercialization of Origin's gene-editing corn is expected
to begin in 1-2 years. The use of this gene editing technology
has broad application space and huge commercial development value.
According to Bill Deng, Origin's
head of research, it is estimated that the market for the
commercial breeding process of corn gene editing can reach more
than 10 billion yuan (US$1.5 billion).
Dr. Gengchen Han, Chairman and CEO of Origin Agritech, stated,
"Our collaboration with China Agricultural University and the
publication of our research in Nature underscore Origin's
commitment to advancing agricultural technology. This breakthrough
can potentially revolutionize maize cultivation by significantly
boosting yield through improved plant architecture."
The induction line genetic transformation system developed by
Origin offers broad application prospects for the commercial
development of gene-edited corn. This technology is poised to play
a critical role in future agricultural innovations, providing a
powerful tool for enhancing crop performance and
sustainability.
"At present, we have obtained more than ten maize gene editing
induction lines that have been improved for different traits,
including reducing the angle between the upper leaves of maize
ears, enhancing maize drought resistance, enhancing maize lodging
resistance, extending maize growth period, and stacking multiple
composite traits," continued Dr. Han. "In the future, we can
quickly carry out targeted improvement work for related target
traits. More notably, our genetically modified hybrid will enter
production trials this year."
"We are excited about the potential applications of this
technology in commercial agriculture. By leveraging our genetic
transformation system, we can accelerate the development of
high-yield maize varieties, contributing to global food security
and advancing sustainable farming practices," concluded Dr.
Han.
About Origin Agritech Limited
Origin Agritech Limited, founded in 1997 and headquartered in
Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park in Beijing, is a leading Chinese agricultural
technology company. In crop seed biotechnologies, Origin Agritech's
phytase corn was the first transgenic corn to receive the
Bio-Safety Certificate from China's Ministry of Agriculture. Over the
years, Origin has established a robust biotechnology seed pipeline,
including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance
(Bt) traits. For further information, please visit the Company's
website at www.originagritech.com. The Company also maintains a
Twitter account for updating investors on Company and industry
developments which is https://x.com/origin_agritech.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" as
defined in the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements address expected future business and financial
performance and financial condition and contain words like
"expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek,"
"will," "would," "target," and similar expressions and variations.
Forward-looking statements address matters that are uncertain.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
and are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be
realized. They are based on management's current expectations,
assumptions, estimates, and projections about the Company and the
industry in which the Company operates but involve a number of
risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's
control. Some of the important factors that could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those discussed
in forward-looking statements are: failure to develop and market
new products and optimally manage product life cycles; ability to
respond to market acceptance, rules, regulations and policies
affecting our products; failure to appropriately manage process
safety and product stewardship issues; changes in laws and
regulations or political conditions; global economic and capital
markets conditions, such as inflation, interest and currency
exchange rates; business or supply disruptions; natural disasters
and weather events and patterns; ability to protect and enforce the
Company's intellectual property rights; and separation of
underperforming or non-strategic assets or businesses. The Company
undertakes no duty or obligation to publicly revise or update any
forward-looking statements as a result of future developments, new
information, or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as
otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.
Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in
these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure
that such expectations will be correct. Actual results may differ
materially from the anticipated results. You are urged to consider
these factors carefully when evaluating the forward-looking
statements contained herein. You are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in
their entirety by these cautionary statements.
For more information, please contact:
Origin Agritech Limited Contact:
Kate Lang (Mandarin/English)
Director of Investor Relations
Phone: +86 186-1839-3368
Email: bing.lang@originseed.com.cn
Investor Relations Contact:
Matthew Abenante, IRC
President
Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
Tel: 347-947-2093
Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com
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SOURCE Origin Agritech Limited