HABERLER

Semillas Fitó and Micropep Technologies enter into Collaboration Agreement to improve plant breeding on vegetable crops

Last 10th July Semillas Fitó and Micropep Technologies announced that they have entered into a collaboration in vegetable crops working with a new disrupting patented technology in plant genetics.

Micropep Technologies uses the naturally-evolved actions of small peptides, usually 10 to 20 amino acids long, directly applied to plant cells. These peptides transiently regulate the expression of microRNAs that, in turn, orchestrate the expression of plant physiology master-genes. Potential applications include improving the soil/plant interactions, yield improvement and weed management. It has the potential to become a key element of the toolbox available to breeders and farmers to improve plant performance with minimal environmental footprint.
Eduard Fitó, Head of Business Development of Semillas Fitó said “This technology has the potential to dramatically change the plant breeding and plant protection industry. We see a broad potential of applications for this technology to strengthen our leadership position in the seed industry.”

Thomas Laurent, Co-founder & CEO of Micropep said: “This collaboration agreement is an important early step for Micropep. The development of our technology is the result of a tight collaboration between LRSV scientists, SATT Toulouse Tech Transfer and Micropep. We are all very pleased by its rapid adoption by Semillas Fito, a major industry player.”