Key Takeaways
- Pioneering CRISPR Innovations: Pairwise leads in genetics-based food and agriculture innovation, focusing on creating more convenient and nutrient-dense foods, such as seedless blackberries and pitless cherries.
- Introduction of CRISPR-Edited Foods: In 2023, Pairwise launched North America’s first CRISPR-edited foods, offering leafy greens with improved flavors, and showcasing consumer and chef acceptance.
- Advancements in R&D and Strategic Partnerships: The company is progressing in its R&D efforts, including projects on thornless berries, and has established collaborations for developing climate-friendly crops.
- Emphasis on Future Product Development: Pairwise is dedicated to developing solutions for the food and agriculture sector’s pressing challenges, leveraging technology to bridge the gap between producers and consumers.
- Collaboration and Industry Impact: Through its work and partnerships, Pairwise exemplifies the transformative potential of CRISPR technology in reshaping food production and agriculture.
Pairwise (Company Profile), a company at the forefront of health-focused food and agriculture innovation, aims to tackle some of the industry’s most significant challenges. By enhancing food convenience and nutritional content, Pairwise endeavors to revolutionize crop variety development and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Leveraging CRISPR Technology
Utilizing CRISPR technology, Pairwise has introduced innovative genetic editing tools that promise unprecedented precision in agricultural biotechnology. “We introduced our greens to show that we can develop and commercialize a great-tasting product with CRISPR that people want to buy – that’s a big win,” said Tom Adams, Pairwise Co-Founder and CEO. This initiative not only highlights the company’s technological capabilities but also signals growing consumer acceptance of genetically edited food products.
Strategic R&D and Partnerships
Pairwise’s commitment to innovation is evident in its dynamic R&D pipeline, with ongoing projects such as the development of seedless and thornless berries. The company’s strategic collaborations, including partnerships with Bayer and Tropic Biosciences, underscore its influence in the industry and its role in promoting sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
Addressing Food System Challenges
“Pairwise’s work to demonstrate the precision of CRISPR technology in food and agriculture and ensure consumer acceptance of these new innovations that will help address the pressing challenges of our food system is invaluable,” remarked Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Innovation at the International Fresh Produce Association. This statement underscores the importance of innovative solutions in bridging the gap between technology, producers, and consumers across the supply chain.
The Future of Food and Agriculture
Pairwise’s contributions to the field highlight the significant potential of CRISPR technology in transforming food and agriculture. As the company continues to explore and introduce groundbreaking products, its focus remains on addressing the challenges posed by climate change and a growing global population.
Pairwise Recent News
Advances in Plant Breeding with Fulcrum (2024/02/02)
Pairwise’s Fulcrum™ Platform utilizes CRISPR-based tools for precise genetic optimization, which has enabled the development of 27 novel traits in crops like corn, soy, wheat, and canola. The platform is powered by two key technologies: REDRAW™ and SHARC™, which have applications beyond agriculture, including medicine. Pairwise offers licensing opportunities for their CRISPR-based tools, reducing investment requirements and accelerating the speed-to-market for CRISPR-edited products. Their advancements in CRISPR technology have significant implications for the global food system and beyond.
Pairwise Receives Regulatory Exemptions From The USDA (2024/01/29)
Pairwise has made significant strides with nine new USDA regulatory exemptions, bringing their total to 21 in just 15 months. These exemptions support their innovative work in the berry category, particularly in developing seedless, thornless, and higher-yielding black and raspberries. Leveraging CRISPR and gene editing technologies, Pairwise addresses global food challenges and enhances biodiversity in crops. Their progress is further aided by collaborations with major research institutions and a comprehensive three-year genome-wide association study, underscoring their commitment to plant breeding innovation and sustainable agricultural practices.
Pairwise and Bayer Collaborate (2023/08/30)
Pairwise has expanded its collaboration with Bayer to focus on developing short-stature corn to enhance sustainability and resilience in agriculture. This new venture builds on their successful five-year partnership across various crops and leverages Pairwise’s advanced Fulcrum™ platform and proprietary gene-editing tools. The initiative promises to produce more resilient corn with reduced height, protecting against climate-related challenges and increasing crop efficiency. This collaboration, part of Pairwise’s broader efforts in sustainable agriculture innovation, highlights the growing role of gene editing in revolutionizing farming practices for a more sustainable future.
Partners with RSquared Fresh Solutions (2023/08/09)
Pairwise and RSquared Fresh Solutions have partnered to introduce the first CRISPR-edited products to American grocery stores. Conscious Greens salad blends are the first products to be rolled out, offering a blend of colorful, flavorful purple and green leaves that promise to redefine how we perceive nutritious eating. The broad reach of RSquared Fresh Solutions creates opportunities for future expansion and growth, ensuring that the innovative and groundbreaking products from Pairwise find their way into the hands of eager consumers.
Appoints Ryan Bartlett as Chief Technology Officer (2023/07/12)
Pairwise announced the appointment of Ryan Bartlett as its new Chief Technology Officer. With a Ph.D. in genetics and biochemistry, and a background in agricultural R&D and product innovation, Bartlett’s appointment is set to reinforce Pairwise’s growth momentum following its first product launch, Conscious™ Greens. Recently, Pairwise unveiled its flagship product, Conscious™ Greens, into the U.S. foodservice channel. The nutrient-dense salad blend includes greens gene-edited to reduce their wasabi-like pungency. Since its inception five years ago, the company has grown to over 150 employees and anticipates further expansion later this year as it gears up to penetrate the retail market.
Launches Innovative Gene-Editing Fulcrum™ Platform (2023/05/24)
Pairwise has developed the Fulcrum™ Platform, a gene-editing platform based on proprietary CRISPR technology and other custom tools. The technology enables modifications to plant genetics, opening avenues for innovative enterprise-scale applications. Pairwise is planning to apply this approach to its Conscious™ Foods branded products and to its business collaborators’ specialty and commodity crop products. With the Fulcrum platform, Pairwise can make small genetic changes that deliver big product impacts. The company’s recent launch of gene-edited Conscious™ Greens is evidence of its ability to meet complex challenges. Pairwise technologies that bolster the Fulcrum platform include REDRAW™ and SHARC™, permitting precise changes in the genome. Backed by the Fulcrum Platform and the company’s proficiency in over 60 crops, Pairwise is paving the way in genetics-based innovation in plants and plant-based systems.
Introduces First CRISPR-developed Food Product, Conscious™ Greens (2023/05/17)
Pairwise, a food startup, has launched Conscious™ Greens, the first-ever food developed with CRISPR technology in the US. The product is co-branded with Performance Food Group’s Peak Fresh Produce brand and offers unique fresh flavors and twice the nutrition of romaine lettuce. Conscious Greens are nutrient-rich greens with the versatility of lettuce, enhanced using CRISPR technology to make them more palatable for consumers. The product is now available in select restaurants and outlets in the PFG operator network. Conscious Greens will be shipped to US grocery stores later this year as part of an expanded Conscious Foods portfolio of products developed using CRISPR technology.
Pairwise and PHA Partner to Further Healthy Food for Families (2023/04/26)
Pairwise, a biotech company, is partnering with Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) for three years to increase access to healthy, fresh, and affordable food. Pairwise will contribute $75,000 annually to PHA’s Good Food for All program, providing produce to needy families. The partnership will result in 630,000 healthy fruits and vegetables servings provided through PHA’s Good Food for All program. PHA aims to create more and healthier options for families, promoting a healthier lifestyle and better food choices for all.
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