Monsanto collaborates with AgraQuest on new seed treatments

Monsanto Co. and AgraQuest Inc. have entered into a collaboration to evaluate the potential use of AgraQuest’s pipeline of biopesticide leads to develop seed treatments for Monsanto’s core crops and vegetables. The 3-year deal is aimed at developing seed treatment products to control insects, diseases and nematodes, and enhance plant growth and yield, using AgraQuest’s collection of microbes. This technology could help Monsanto researchers develop additional modes of action for insect, nematode and disease control.
Monsanto will have exclusive rights to the technology for seed treatments in its core crops and vegetables. AgraQuest will retain all rights to the technology for foliar and soil application uses and for seed treatment use in all other crops. Under the agreement AgraQuest will receive an upfront payment and research funding, as well as performance-based payments and royalties. Monsanto also will have access to AgraQuest’s library of Bacillus thuriengensis proteins for potential use as insecticides in biotech crops.