Origin Agritech Ltd., a prominent player in China’s agricultural technology sector, has taken a significant step forward by establishing the “Origin Marker Biological Breeding Service Consortium” in collaboration with China Golden Marker Biotechnology Co., Ltd. This initiative was officially launched during a signing ceremony at the 31st China Seed Industry Conference held in Beijing on October 21, 2024. The consortium aims to broaden the licensing of Origin’s genetically modified organism (GMO) traits, specifically its insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant (IR/HT) traits, to a variety of industry stakeholders, thereby expediting the application of innovative gene editing technologies in breeding programs.
The establishment of this consortium comes on the heels of Origin’s achievement in May 2024, when it received a GMO safety certificate for its transgenic maize, BBL2-2. This milestone is set to enhance the commercialization of Origin’s advanced GMO traits, making them accessible to seed companies and research institutions across key agricultural regions in China. Central to the consortium’s objectives is Origin’s pioneering gene editing technology, which includes the world’s first efficient genetic transformation system for maize induction line Hi3. This technology is designed to significantly enhance traits such as drought resistance and disease resilience, effectively reducing the traditional breeding timeline from several years to just one.
China Golden Marker Biotechnology Co., Ltd., recognized for its expertise in next-generation sequencing and molecular marker technology, is a crucial partner in this consortium. The company has invested 67 million yuan into a cutting-edge molecular marker laboratory that is capable of processing over one million samples annually. This facility will facilitate the consortium’s ambitious projects, including the commercialization of the BBL2-2 GMO maize event and the advancement of gene editing for maize. The consortium is also focused on innovating maize germplasm resources, leveraging its extensive mutant library and molecular marker-assisted breeding techniques to foster the development of more diverse and resilient maize varieties.
The consortium has already formed partnerships with numerous breeding companies across China, working to improve over 100 corn varieties cultivated in major corn-producing regions. Bill Deng, Head of Research at Origin Agritech, emphasized the consortium’s commitment to making breeding processes more efficient and accessible, thereby supporting the creation of high-quality, high-yield, and resilient corn varieties. CEO Weibin Yan highlighted the consortium’s potential to accelerate the commercialization of GMO and gene editing technologies, streamlining the transition from laboratory innovations to market-ready solutions.
As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, this consortium represents a promising advancement in sustainable agriculture practices in China, paving the way for enhanced food security and agricultural productivity through cutting-edge biotechnology.
