Key Takeaways
- Cibus entered into a material transfer agreement with CIAT, working with the Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice (FLAR), to support hybrid rice breeding.
- The agreement introduces the company’s HT3 herbicide tolerance trait into elite rice germplasm developed for the Hybrid Rice Consortium for Latin America (HIAAL).
- The HT3 trait has shown performance in U.S. field trials and is designed to help manage herbicide-resistant weeds such as weedy rice.
- CIAT and FLAR view the collaboration as a step toward improving rice productivity and sustainability in the region.
- The initiative contributes to broader efforts to develop climate-resilient, high-yield rice hybrids for Latin American farmers.
Cibus Forms Partnership with CIAT and FLAR
Cibus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBUS) announced it has signed a material transfer agreement with the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) in collaboration with the Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice (FLAR). The arrangement supports the Hybrid Rice Consortium for Latin America (HIAAL) by introducing new traits into rice germplasm aimed at supporting regional breeding programs.
Cibus’ Partnership Focus on Herbicide Tolerance Trait
The partnership will initially center on Cibus’ HT3 clethodim herbicide tolerance trait. According to the company, this trait has performed consistently in multi-location field trials in the United States. It is designed to support farmers in addressing challenges related to herbicide-resistant weeds, including weedy rice, and to provide an additional tool for crop management.
Perspectives from Partners
Eduardo Graterol, Executive Director of FLAR, said the agreement “represents a significant enhancement of our trait portfolio and aligns with our long-term vision to support the competitiveness of rice farmers in the region.”
Peter Beetham, Interim CEO of Cibus, stated: “This initial agreement is the first step to opening our commercial path to deliver our gene-edited trait development expertise as we aim to provide rice seed with HT traits that will enhance productivity and sustainability for LATAM rice farmers.”
Supporting Broader Rice Development Goals
Rice is a strategic focus for Cibus, with potential to generate near-term revenue while advancing long-term agricultural sustainability. CIAT and FLAR bring regional expertise, access to germplasm resources, and established improvement programs across multiple countries in Latin America.
The collaboration aims to contribute to the development of high-yield, climate-resilient rice varieties by combining advanced breeding techniques with local knowledge and resources.
Cibus
Cibus operates within the plant seed industry, focusing on high-throughput gene editing technologies designed to develop plant traits with greater precision and efficiency compared to conventional breeding. Rather than producing seeds, the company develops and licenses traits to seed companies, generating royalties from seed sales.
The company’s work targets productivity traits intended to improve yield, reduce input costs, and support sustainable farming practices. Its pipeline includes traits such as pod shatter resistance, disease resistance, and nutrient use efficiency, with a focus on multi-crop applications that could be deployed across more than 100 million acres.
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