PHILADELPHIA, May 9, 2024
/PRNewswire/ --
FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC), a leading global agricultural
sciences company, today announced a research agreement with
AgroSpheres, a biotechnology company pioneering breakthroughs in
sustainable crop protection and crop health. The agreement will
accelerate the discovery and development of novel bioinsecticides,
which is a key part of FMC's long-range strategic plan.
The agreement aims to bolster FMC's position as the market
leader in insecticides and AgroSpheres' speed to market for its
ribonucleic acid (RNA) portfolio by pairing AgroSpheres' production
and formulation technology with FMC's high throughput testing,
evaluation, and go-to-market capabilities. In 2023, FMC Ventures
invested in AgroSpheres, a startup developing biodegradable
micro-encapsulation technology to improve the delivery, stability
and efficacy of biological crop protection products based on RNA
interference (RNAi) technology.
"Our research agreement with AgroSpheres marks a significant
milestone in FMC's commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture
through innovation," said Dr. Seva
Rostovtsev, FMC executive vice president and chief
technology officer. "We believe RNAi can provide a suite of
powerful new tools for the crop protection market and that
AgroSpheres has built a powerful platform to discover and
manufacture these new technologies. This collaboration is a
testament to our dedication to innovation and excellence in crop
protection. It underscores our belief in the power of partnership
to drive agricultural science forward, ensuring a healthier planet
for future generations."
RNAi biomolecules have demonstrated great promise in the lab but
have struggled to yield consistent results for commercial
biological development. AgroSpheres' patented AgriCell
manufacturing technology allows for the expression of a wide array
of RNA molecules while yielding consistent results. AgroSpheres'
production of encapsulated RNA biomolecules delivers enhanced
stability, performance and targeted uptake in pests. AgroSpheres'
groundbreaking biomodality approach targets specific, yet diverse,
biological actions, efficiently multiplying product offerings and
innovation.
"In a global market desperately in need of effective tools to
combat resistance, FMC has shown foresight by investing in
next-generation technologies and setting aggressive goals to meet
demand for high-performance biologicals," said Ameer Shakeel,
founder and chief technology officer of AgroSpheres. "As leaders in
bringing molecules to market, they are an ideal partner for
AgroSpheres as we progress to comprehensive product development. We
are excited to co-develop with the FMC team."
About FMC
FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company
dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for
an expanding world population while adapting to a changing
environment. FMC's innovative crop protection solutions – including
biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture –
enable growers, crop advisers and turf and pest management
professionals to address their toughest challenges economically
while protecting the environment. With approximately 6,200
employees at more than 100 sites worldwide, FMC is committed to
discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active
ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that
are consistently better for the planet. Visit fmc.com to
learn more and follow us on LinkedIn®.
About AgroSpheres
AgroSpheres is a pioneering agricultural technology company
committed to addressing the most pressing challenges in global
agriculture. By harnessing the power of cutting-edge science and
technology, AgroSpheres is developing innovative solutions to
promote sustainable and efficient farming practices. The company's
mission is to revolutionize agriculture, making it more productive,
eco-friendly, and capable of feeding the growing global
population.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fmc-corporation-announces-multi-year-collaboration-with-agrospheres-302141701.html
SOURCE FMC Corporation