Chinese Patent Granted

 

TIDMFGN 
 
RNS Number : 1790E 
Futuragene PLC 
16 December 2009 
 

16 December 2009 
 
 
FuturaGene PLC 
 
 
Drought tolerance gene granted Chinese patent 
 
 
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 patent by the Chinese patent office  entitled 
"Method for increasing stress tolerance in plants". The patent covers 
FuturaGene's drought tolerance gene for use in both food and non-food crops. 
 
 
On 3 December 2009, FuturaGene licensed drought tolerance technology to Bayer 
CropScience for utilisation in cotton worldwide.  The licensed technology is 
covered by this newly issued patent in China. 
 
 
This Chinese patent is a significant step for the Group as it protects and 
enhances its business development in China. It follows the announcement on 2 
September 2009 that the Group is collaborating with the Chinese Academy of 
Forestry on the use of the same gene for the development of new enhanced poplar 
with increased water efficiency. 
 
 
Water availability is one of the principal environmental limiters of crop yield 
around the world, hampering cultivation of crops on more than 40% of the earth's 
land surface and posing a significant threat to global agricultural production 
and food supply. 
 
 
Northern China was recently hit by its worst drought in 50 years, affecting half 
of the winter wheat cropping area and leaving millions of people and livestock 
unable to access sufficient water. Following this event, the Food and 
Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations devised a plan with the Chinese 
authorities for short and medium term intervention for drought impact mitigation 
over the next three years. 
 
 
Dr Stanley Hirsch, FuturaGene CEO said, 
 
 
"This is a key development for us and consolidates our global intellectual 
property position in the critical area of drought tolerance, and significantly 
strengthens our position in China. 
 
 
"China is the largest global cotton producer, both by volume and by value, and 
is also a major potential market for drought tolerant poplar, which could play 
an important role in reversing desertification. This patent provides protection 
for our commercial efforts in China. In a country with real concerns about food 
security, it is a major development in the process of establishing sustainable 
agriculture." 
 
 
Enquiries: 
+-------------------------------------+------------------------------+-------------+ 
| FuturaGene Plc                      |                                            | 
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+ 
| Mark Pritchard, Chairman            | [phone]                       | 
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+ 
| Dr. Stanley Hirsch, Group Chief     |  [phone]                          | 
| Executive                           |                                            | 
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+ 
|                                     |                                            | 
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+ 
| Evolution Securities                |                                            | 
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+ 
| Neil Elliot                         | [phone]                       | 
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+ 
|                                     |                                            | 
+-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+ 
| 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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