Additional Japanese Patent

 

TIDMFGN 
 
 
Futuragene PLC 
05 January 2010 
 
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 5 January 2010 
 
 
FuturaGene PLC 
 
 
Additional cell wall modification patent granted in Japan 
 
 
FuturaGene PLC ("FuturaGene" or "the Group", AIM: FGN), a leader in plant 
genetic research and development for global forestry, biofuel and agricultural 
markets, has been granted a second cell wall modification patent in Japan. 
 
 
The new patent augments the Japanese patent issued in April 2009 and covers 
additional proteins. Both patents cover transgenic plants expressing cell wall 
modifying proteins that result in higher biomass, faster growth rate, higher 
cellulose content, higher amenability for digestion by ruminants, or increased 
resistance to heat, biodegradation or pests. 
 
 
Dr Stanley Hirsch, FuturaGene CEO said, 
 
 
 
 
"This patent consolidates FuturaGene's global intellectual property position in 
the critical area of cell wall modification, which is a fundamental technology 
for yield enhancement in plants. 
 
 
We believe this is very significant for the sustainable industrial forestry, 
biofuel and biopower sectors. The fact that Japan is home to some of the world's 
largest pulp and paper producers further underlines the importance of 
FuturaGene's patents." 
 
Enquiries: 
 
 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
| FuturaGene Plc                      |                                   | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
| Mark Pritchard, Chairman            |              [phone] | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
| Dr. Stanley Hirsch, Group Chief     |                  [phone] | 
| Executive                           |                                   | 
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|                                     |                                   | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
| Evolution Securities                |                                   | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
| Neil Elliot                         |              [phone] | 
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|                                     |                                   | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
| College Hill                        |               [phone] | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
| Adrian Duffield/Rozi Morris         |                                   | 
+-------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 
 
 
Notes to Editors 
About Futuragene PLC - www.futuragene.com 
FuturaGene is a leader in plant genetic research and development for the global 
forestry, biofuel, and agricultural markets. The Group develops sustainable, 
ecologically sound technology to meet the ever increasing demands for fiber, 
fuel and food crops in the face of declining and deteriorating land and water 
resources. 
FuturaGene aims to be the leading crop technology company for biomass, second 
generation biofuel and biopower, through two main technology platforms: Cell 
Wall Modification, which helps crops grow faster, enhancing yield and 
processability; and Abiotic Stress Tolerance which enables plants to grow in 
harsh, dry, salty environments or protects yield when plants are stressed by 
these factors. 
The Group's most advanced technologies are for yield improvement in sustainable 
industrial forestry and it has strong partnerships with leading international 
forestry and agriculture companies, such as Suzano, Bayer CropScience, Forage 
Genetics (Land 'O Lakes), China Academy of Forestry (CAF), AA Alliance and 
Targeted Growth. The Group has established broad applications of its technology 
in key crops including eucalyptus, poplar, alfalfa, cotton and corn. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This information is provided by RNS 
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange 
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