Cibus And Interoc Sign LOI To Advance Herbicide-Tolerant Rice Commercialization In Latin America

Key takeaways

• Cibus and Interoc executed a non-binding Letter of Intent focused on herbicide-tolerant rice traits.
• The LOI outlines a potential framework for commercialization across key Latin American markets.
• Herbicide-tolerant traits have been integrated into Interoc’s elite rice germplasm.
• Initial commercial launches are anticipated in Ecuador and Colombia in 2027.
• The collaboration builds on an R&D agreement announced in January 2024.

Cibus And Interoc Establish Commercialization Framework For Rice Traits

Cibus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBUS) and Interoc announced the execution of a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) that establishes a potential framework for the commercialization of co-developed herbicide-tolerant (HT) rice traits in major rice-producing markets across Latin America.

The contemplated non-exclusive agreement represents a step toward full commercialization following the companies’ research and development collaboration announced in January 2024.

Progression From Research To Commercial Execution At Cibus

Under an existing material transfer agreement, Cibus has successfully integrated herbicide-tolerant traits into Interoc’s elite rice germplasm. According to the companies, these rice lines are now advancing into real-world field evaluations as part of the path toward commercialization.

Peter Beetham, Ph.D., Co-founder and Interim CEO of Cibus, said the LOI reflects a transition from development to commercial planning. He noted that Interoc’s established market presence positions the collaboration to support adoption among rice growers in Latin America.

Planned Market Strategy And Trait Deployment

The LOI anticipates that Interoc would market rice hybrids and varieties developed using Cibus’ Rapid Trait Development System™ (RTDS™). The proposed program focuses on herbicide tolerance as a tool to address weed and resistance management challenges, including weedy rice, which affect productivity across the region.

Fernando De La Puente, Corporate Vice President at Interoc, stated that growers in Latin America require new tools to manage resistant weeds and protect yields. He said the collaboration is intended to expand Interoc’s trait portfolio while supporting productivity goals through modern genomic techniques.

Commercial Timeline And Regional Expansion Plans

Initial Launch And Phased Market Entry

Under the terms of the LOI, Cibus and Interoc intend to negotiate in good faith toward a definitive licensing and marketing agreement. If finalized, commercial sales are expected to begin in Ecuador and Colombia in 2027.

Following the anticipated initial launch, the companies plan a phased expansion into additional markets, including Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean. Target countries identified include Panama, Bolivia, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Costa Rica.

Cibus Rice Trait Portfolio And Field Validation

Rice is identified as a lead crop for Cibus, with two herbicide tolerance traits—HT1 and HT3—forming the initial focus of the collaboration. The company stated that both traits have already been evaluated in multi-location field trials across multiple growing seasons in the United States, enabling their advancement within Interoc’s rice germplasm.

Cibus and Interoc indicated that the shared objective of the LOI is to achieve meaningful adoption of herbicide-tolerant rice traits in Latin America, supporting weed management strategies for growers across the region.