Full Press Release Details
Produces 1,200 Tons of High-Oleic Soybeans in U.S.
MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 15,
2016--Calyxt, Inc., a Minnesota-based company developing healthier food
products to benefit both consumers and growers, today announced that the
Company has completed the 2016 expansion of its high-oleic/no trans-fat
soybean variety (CAL1501) in the U.S. with a production of 1,200 tons of
In Spring 2016, Calyxt planted 942 acres (381 hectares) in six U.S.
states - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota and
Wisconsin. To date, the Company has harvested approximately 45,000
bushels. We intent to use a substantial portion of the harvest for a
first industrial scale crush.
The high-oleic/low saturated fat oil from this new variety of soybean,
with a high-oleic acid content, is designed to eliminate the need for
hydrogenation, a process that improves heat stability and shelf life of
conventional soybean oil. The process of hydrogenation contributes to
the production of trans-fatty acids, which, when consumed, raises
low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol levels and contributes to
cardiovascular diseases.
Based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration announced that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs),
the primary dietary source of artificial trans-fat in processed foods,
are not "generally recognized as safe" for use in human food and should
be banned by 2018. Calyxt's variety of soybeans has a fatty acid profile
that's very similar to that of olive oil, with the added benefit of an
approximate 20 percent decrease in saturated fatty acids compared to
standard soybean oil.
"The Calyxt team is dedicated to bringing to market food ingredients
with healthier characteristics for consumers, and given that the food
industry needs to remove trans-fat from products while maintaining high
heat performance, high-oleic soybean varieties fulfill a large need for
the food sector," said Federico Tripodi, Calyxt's CEO. "Most
importantly, with this year's high quality production, Calyxt is in a
prime position to gain scale to commercialize this product in a near
In mid-2015, Calyxt received two letters from the USDA confirming that
the Company's high-oleic and low-linolenic varieties are non-regulated,
as no foreign DNA is added in the development process.
Calyxt, Inc. is a fast-growing, consumer-oriented ag company that
utilizes its innovative, patented TALEN
technology to usher in a new era of agriculture and develop crop
products with healthier characteristics for consumers - all the while
helping farmers and food and agriculture industries reduce their
environmental footprints in the context of climate change. Calyxt
believes that agricultural technologies can have a profound, positive
impact on humanity and is looking to engage those who share this passion
for food and agriculture. 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
Calyxt and the corporate logo are trademarks owned by Calyxt, Inc.
Talking about gene editing? We do it.
TALEN is a registered trademark owned by the Cellectis
Kasunich, 212-896-1241
KCSA Strategic Communications
Simon Harnest, 646-385-9008
VP Corporate Strategy