Sao Paulo, Brazil
2 May 2012

FuturaGene, a world leader in the enhancement of yield and sustainability of woody crops for plantation forestry, biopower and biofuel markets, has received approval from the Brazilian National Technical Commission on Biosafety (CTNBio) to initiate its fourth regulatory field trial for yield enhanced eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. The trial is designed to evaluate plantation agronomic properties and biosafety of a specific genetically modified event.

FuturaGene has planted three additional regulatory trials over the last eight months. Biosafety data from trials in geographic areas representative of eucalyptus plantations in Brazil are required for inclusion in a regulatory dossier to the CTNBio to obtain market approval for modified organisms in Brazil.

FuturaGene plans to plant the trial in the coming two weeks. The initiation of this trial denotes an important milestone in the regulatory process for FuturaGene. The planting of the trial will be the culmination of a series of regulated selection, evaluation and biosafety trials which was initiated in 2006, with the first performance evaluation trial planted in a collaboration between Suzano Pulp and Paper (Suzano) and FuturaGene. This collaboration resulted in the acquisition of FuturaGene by Suzano.

On successful completion of the regulatory trials which have been planted, FuturaGene plans to submit a dossier to the CTNBio, requesting regulatory approval to deploy its yield enhanced eucalyptus.

Dr Stanley Hirsch, CEO of FuturaGene, said:

“Over the past six years we have successfully demonstrated that our technology delivers sustainably increased yields for plantation forestry. This pioneering fourth trial is a key step
towards the commercial deployment of our first plantation product designed to meet the ever increasing demands for energy at a time of declining land and water resources.

“This is the most advanced trial in the world of an enhanced yield plantation forest and we are delighted that FuturaGene has achieved this important milestone. We continue with our plan to
deploy our technology commercially in the next four-to-five years.”

FuturaGene, with facilities in Brazil, China and Israel, is a leader in plant genetic research and development for the global forestry, biopower and biofuel markets. FuturaGene develops sustainable, ecologically sound technology to meet the ever increasing demands for fiber, fuel and energy crops in the face of declining land and water resources.

FuturaGene aims to be the leading crop technology company for plantation forestry, biopower and second generation biofuel through two main technology platforms: yield and processability enhancement - driving gains in yield during crop growth and greater processability of crop, post-harvest; and yield protection to protect strategic crops from emerging threats caused by changing climate and diminishing resources and to enable marginal land usage.

FuturaGene’s key crops are eucalyptus and poplar and its most advanced technologies are for yield improvement in sustainable industrial forestry.

After developing as an independent company since its inception in 1993, FuturaGene was acquired, in July 2010 by Suzano Pulp and Paper, a Brazilian company. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzano, FuturaGene continues its worldwide biotech activities with enhanced resources driving its mission to be a world leader in sustainable plant genetic research and development.

Website: http://www.futuragene.com

Published: May 2, 2012