Full Press Release Details
Launches U.S. Field Trials with University of Minnesota for Powdery
Mildew-Resistant Spring Wheat Variety
Marks Calyxt's Fourth Gene Edited Crop to Undergo Trials
MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2017--Calyxt,
Inc., a Minnesota-based company developing healthier specialty food
ingredients to benefit both consumers and farmers, today announced that
the Company, under a service agreement with the University of Minnesota,
has launched field trials in the U.S. for its gene edited powdery
mildew-resistant spring wheat variety.
Under the agreement, the University of Minnesota has planted 1.7
kilograms of seeds at the University's St. Paul and Crookston research
stations. Developed using Calyxt's proprietary TALEN
technology, the wheat is resistant to powdery mildew, a fungus that
spreads widely throughout the world and is responsible for major grain
"As Calyxt is dedicated to bringing crops to market with healthier
characteristics for consumers and growers, working with the University
of Minnesota to plant the powdery mildew-resistant wheat brings us one
step closer to making the goal a reality and allows us to see how the
wheat will look under field conditions," said Federico Tripodi, Calyxt
CEO. "Through altering one native gene in the crop, we are able to
increase the productivity and profitability of farmers. With over 680
million metric tons of wheat that's produced annually globally, Calyxt
is well-positioned to incorporate the mildew resistance trait into
geographically suitable wheat varieties and commercialize this product
in the near future."
In 2016, Calyxt received notice from the USDA's Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service that the Company's powdery mildew-resistant wheat
variety is non-regulated, as no foreign DNA is contained in this powdery
mildew-resistant spring wheat variety.
Calyxt, Inc. is a consumer-centric, food- and agriculture-focused
company. By combining its leading gene-editing technology and technical
expertise with its innovative commercial strategy, Calyxt is pioneering
a paradigm shift to deliver healthier food ingredients, such as
healthier oils and high fiber wheat, for consumers and agriculturally
advantageous crop traits, such as herbicide tolerance, for farmers.
Calyxt is located in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Cellectis.
For further information please visit our website: www.calyxt.com
and the corporate logo are trademarks owned by Calyxt, Inc.
Talking about gene editing? We do it.
registered trademark owned by the Cellectis Group.
Strategic Communications
Caitlin Kasunich / Nick Opich
Simon Harnest, 646-385-9008
VP Corporate Strategy