SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US — Cibus and GDM have announced plans to collaborate to develop and deliver trait products designed to address the challenges of soybean seed companies and farmers.

Through the collaboration, GDM will integrate its soybean genetics with Cibus’ next-generation gene editing technology.

“Soybean production has continued to grow steadily for decades and now exceeds 300 million acres globally,” said Peter Beetham, PhD, president of Cibus. “This, coupled with the stresses of dwindling global resources and environmental factors, creates demand for crop protection trait products that can increase yield and productivity — while still offering a sustainable option that does not exacerbate these issues to an even greater extent. In collaborating with GDM — the leader in soybean genetic innovation — we strive to provide the agricultural community with soybean crops that are more viable for farmers and our world alike.”  

Over the last 40 years, GDM has been using cutting-edge technology to improve soybean varieties, with a focus on constant innovation and state-of-the-art breeding programs in more than 15 countries. Today, more than one third of the world’s soybean production is made using GDM genetics.

Meanwhile, Cibus’ proprietary precision gene-editing technology, the Rapid Trait Development System, is a new breeding technique that accelerates the processes underlying natural breeding for efficient and low-cost means to increase crop yields and reduce waste for the agricultural system.

 “At GDM, our mission is focused on improving agricultural productivity worldwide — and our newly announced trait product partnership with Cibus falls perfectly in line with this vision,” said Manuel Mihura, strategy and new business director for GDM. “As the world searches for higher yields, we remain committed to providing farmers and independent seed companies with the best genetics that will ensure those increased productivity goals are met without losing sight of the need for more sustainable options.”

Cibus is an agricultural biotechnology company using its proprietary precision gene editing technologies to breed nature-identical, novel Crop Protection Trait Products. Cibus’ products reduce the use of chemicals and fuel inputs that are commonly used to address farming challenges such as diseases, insects and weeds.

GDM is a global soybean genetics powerhouse. One out of every three planted acres in the world contains GDM genetics. It has 16 breeding stations globally, 700 testing locations and tests more than 1.5 million plots per year.