Wageningen, The Netherlands
July 9, 2013

Today, KeyGene announces publication of United States patent number 8,481,257, protecting methods for large-scale discovery and genotyping of genetic markers. The patented methods utilize restriction enzymes to create and subsequently sequence genome fractions, allowing discovery and scoring of vast amounts of genetic markers in an extremely cost-effective manner. The Sequence Based Genotyping (SBG) methods find widespread use in molecular breeding of plants and animals, and in performing genetic studies in model organisms and other species. The patent expands the broad proprietary technology base of KeyGene's Accelerated Molecular Breeding platform and affirms its leading position as innovator in genome complexity reduction techniques.

"We are excited by the issuance of this patent in a series of proprietary next-generation sequencing applications for plant breeding", states Michiel van Eijk, CSO of KeyGene. "SBG is a strong product in a very competitive field with significant growth potential to accelerate crop improvement using molecular markers. Keygene has a long standing reputation in this field and we are committed to provide our clients and licensees with the finest technologies available via contract research, services and research kits".

For commercial applications of SBG, KeyGene provides licenses and customized technology transfer and support to its licensees. The company recently also launched the SBG-100 kit designed specifically for research applications.

KeyGene is a privately owned, innovative molecular genetics Ag Biotech company with a primary focus on the improvement of 6F (Food, Feed, Fiber, Fuel, Flowers and Fun) crops. KeyGene’s passion is a Green Gene Revolution approach to explore and exploit natural genetic variation in vegetable and other 6F crops. KeyGene delivers sustainable responses to the world’s needs for yield stability & quality of vegetable and field crops. It supports its strategic partners with cutting edge breeding technologies and plant-based  trait platforms to meet their needs. KeyGene performs strategic and applied research with more than 135 employees from all over the world, with state of the art facilities and equipment. KeyGene has its headquarters in Wageningen, The Netherlands, a subsidiary in Rockville, USA and a Joint Lab with the Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences in Shanghai, China.

Website: http://www.keygene.com

Published: July 9, 2013