Key Takeaways:
- Pairwise has licensed its Fulcrum® CRISPR gene editing platform to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
- The agreement will support the development of high-yield, climate-resilient, and nutrient-enhanced rice varieties.
- IRRI gains nonexclusive rights to use Fulcrum technologies, including the SHARC™ enzyme system, for research and commercial applications.
- This marks Pairwise’s third licensing collaboration with a CGIAR research center.
- The initiative is backed by the CGIAR Gene Editing Initiative, supported by FCDO, ACIAR, and the Gates Foundation, ensuring responsible access for smallholder farmers globally.
Advancing Global Rice Research through Pairwise's Gene Editing Platform
Pairwise, a U.S.-based agricultural technology company, has entered into a licensing agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to apply its Fulcrum® gene editing platform toward advancing rice innovation. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of rice varieties that are more productive, resilient to climate change, and nutritionally enriched, contributing to global food security and healthier diets.
The partnership enables IRRI to integrate CRISPR technology into its breeding programs, complementing the institute’s ongoing work in sustainable rice production and genetic improvement.
Building on IRRI’s Legacy in Rice Innovation
“This partnership marks an exciting step for IRRI's breeding initiatives,” said Dr. Inez Slamet-Loedin, Principal Scientist for Biotechnology at IRRI. “It reinforces our commitment to using the latest breeding innovations to deliver results faster. By responsibly applying advanced tools, we can speed up the development of rice varieties that improve productivity, resilience, and nutrition for farmers and consumers around the world.”
The Fulcrum platform will allow IRRI scientists to target specific genes that influence yield, nutritional quality, and stress tolerance—key priorities for global rice research amid changing climate and dietary demands.
Pairwise Expands Global Licensing of Fulcrum Platform
Ian Miller, COO of Pairwise, emphasized the strategic value of the collaboration: “We're honored to partner with IRRI, a world-renowned leader in rice research, to bring our Fulcrum technology to one of humanity's most vital crops. This collaboration will accelerate rice innovation and create tangible benefits for farmers and consumers worldwide.”
Under the agreement, IRRI receives nonexclusive rights to use Pairwise’s Fulcrum suite of CRISPR-based genome-editing technologies, including the SHARC™ enzyme system, for research, development, dissemination, and commercial use in rice.
The Fulcrum platform has been instrumental in driving next-generation crop innovations, including seedless and compact blackberries and trait development in 14 row and specialty crops globally.
Part of a Broader Global Collaboration Framework
This partnership marks Pairwise’s third agreement with a CGIAR research center, following its 2025 collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and its 2024 partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Supported by the CGIAR Gene Editing Initiative—funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the UK Government (FCDO), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—the agreement ensures that gene-editing innovations reach smallholder farmers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
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