DuPont, Hexima Partner on Disease Resistance Technology

DuPont and Hexima Limited (Hexima) will develop and commercialize certain biotech fungal disease resistance technology in corn, soybeans and other crops.

In this collaboration, DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred and Hexima will combine certain intellectual property and anti-fungal protein assets to accelerate the development and commercialization of transgenic fungal disease resistance technology in corn, soybeans and other crops. Hexima will lead the initial stage research and crop validation, and Pioneer will lead late stage development. Pioneer will lead commercialization in corn and soybeans, and Hexima will manage all other crops.

“We are always looking for new ways to tackle specific challenges that our customers face,” said Paul Schickler, Pioneer president and DuPont vice president and general manager. “This agreement with world-class experts in fungal disease resistance technology is a great example of the innovative approaches we’re using to help solve these challenges.”

As part of this agreement and via a placement agreement, Pioneer has subscribed to approximately 5 percent of the ordinary shares of Hexima, in exchange for the contribution of certain intellectual property. The collaboration will utilize Pioneer proprietary gene-shuffling technology and Hexima proprietary gene delivery technology, MGEV.