Ithaca, New York, U.S.A. and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
October 31, 2016
Nature Source Genetics LLC and Agromod´s In Vitro Division (a Plenus affiliate company) have merged to form Nature Source Improved Plants LLC (NSIP), a unique international venture with expertise in advanced plant breeding technology and in high-throughput plant propagation. The new company will be based in the US with divisions in Ithaca, NY and Tapachula, Mexico.
Nature Source Genetics, located in Ithaca, specializes in the use of genetic data to guide and improve plant breeding. Their proprietary algorithms and methodologies have been successfully applied to field and vegetable crops via partnerships with major seed and food companies throughout the world. The new company, NSIP, will maintain and expand such partnerships. In addition to these continuing activities, this merger provides the resources and expertise to apply these advanced genetic tools to specialty and tropical crops worldwide.
Agromod´s In Vitro Division, located in Tapachula, is currently the largest Latin American company dedicated to in vitro production of disease free, high performing, and genetically homogeneous plant material for the global market. They specialize in the propagation and sales of tropical crops, producing more than 10 million plants per year for the coffee and tequila industries, in addition to production of cacao, banana, papaya, and other high value crops.
Ing. Jorge Fenyvesi, CEO of NSIP, said, “NSIP combines advanced methods for genetically-guided plant breeding with high-throughput in vitro plant propagation. By bringing these technologies together, innovative genetic tools are available for important tropical crops, and the resulting improved varieties can be efficiently brought to market. Furthermore, our respective companies have a long history of successful collaboration and I am very confident about the future of this new venture."
Prof. Steven Tanksley will serve as the Chief Scientific Officer of NSIP. Tanksley is a recent recipient of the Japan Prize, one of the most prestigious international awards given for major contributions in science and agriculture. According to Tanksley, "NSIP will provide a unique opportunity to accelerate the genetic improvement of important crops, a key step to meeting future world agricultural demands.”
Ing. Alfonso Romo, Chairman of Plenus, said, “Many specialty and tropical crops have not been considered by the seed industry despite their social and economic value. It is time to pay attention. NSIP has the experience, technology, and resources to significantly improve these ‘orphan crops’, breeding better varieties for use by both large planters and small holders throughout the world. This is an important market with great potential for growth and a positive socioeconomic impact."
The merger resulting in Nature Source Improved Plants was supported by Verdant Partners LLC, working as strategic advisors to Nature Source Genetics, and by Vector Casa de Bolsa, S. A. de C. V. acting as financial advisor to Agromod In Vitro.
About Nature Source Genetics
Nature Source Genetics, located in Ithaca, specializes in the use of genetic data to guide and improve plant breeding. Their proprietary algorithms and methodologies have been successfully applied to field and vegetable crops via partnerships with major seed and food companies throughout the world.
About Agromod In Vitro
Agromod´s In Vitro Division, located in Tapachula, is currently the largest Latin American company dedicated to in vitro production of disease free, high performing, and genetically homogeneous plant material for the global market. They specialize in the propagation and sales of tropical crops, producing more than 10 million plants per year for the coffee and tequila industries, in addition to production of cacao, banana, papaya, and other high value crops.
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