Business alliance of Sakata Seed Corporation and Genetwister Technologies

Sakata Seed Corporation signed an agreement to acquire a stake in Genetwister Technologies B.V. Sakata Seed Corporation, listed on the Japanese stock market, is a world leader in breeding and producing vegetable and ornamental seed and vegetative cuttings. With this alliance Sakata wants to boost its marker-assisted breeding endeavours with the most-advanced genome sequencing and gene analysis techniques in order to accelerate the development of novel flower and vegetable varieties.

Douwe de Boer, Managing Director of Genetwister, comments: “We are very happy with this business alliance that coincides with Sakata’s 100 year anniversary. Sakata Seed Corporation is a very well respected and established company all over the world and this partnership exemplifies the importance we see in our presence in the rapidly expanding Asian market. The alliance is expected to quickly benefit both Sakata as well as Genetwister.”

Hiroshi Sakata, President of Sakata Seed Corporation, comments: “Through this equity participation, Sakata Seed Corporation will have an access to Genetwister Technology’s most advanced plant genomic techniques. With the research partnership with Genetwister, Sakata expects to enhance efficiency in the development of its innovative vegetable and flower varieties and to accelerate their introduction to the market.”

For more information:

www.genetwister.com

www.sakata-seed.co.jp

Publication date: Mon 2 Dec 2013