Biotech Updates

In South Africa, white maize is the only staple food crop produced using genetically modified (GM) cultivars. From 2001 to 2018, GM white maize has brought welfare benefits amounting to ~US$695 million, according to a study conducted by experts from the University of Arkansas and published in the Global Food Security journal.

Medicago's Plant-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Positive Phase 2 Results

Quebec City-based Medicago and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have announced the positive interim Phase 2 clinical trial safety and immunogenicity data for Medicago's plant-derived COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which was tested in combination with GSK's pandemic adjuvant. These results are part of the ongoing Phase 2/3 study and reiterate the promising profile observed during Phase 1 testing.

Identified Fruit Protein Helps Control Tomato Ripening

The expression of a single protein located in the subcellular organelles of the tomato was found to help speed up or slow down its fruit ripening, providing a novel opportunity for crop improvement.

Herbicide Tolerant GM Canola Gets Commercial Approval in Australia

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) in Australia has issued license DIR 175 to BASF Australia Ltd., authorizing the commercial release of MS11 canola genetically modified (GM) for herbicide tolerance and a hybrid breeding system.