On June 5, 2025, the KWS Gateway Research Center (GRC) commemorated a decade of innovation. This milestone represented ten years of scientific advancement and collaborative efforts. It provided an opportunity to reflect on KWS' GRC journey, articulate their future vision, and express gratitude to the colleagues, partners, and supporters who have contributed to them.
The decision to establish the North American research center in St. Louis in 2014 was driven by the city's geographical centrality and the advantageous environment offered by the Bio Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park. The BRDG Park's unique combination of state-of-the-art facilities, comprehensive services, advanced equipment, and a location at the heart of a research campus next to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center proved ideal for KWS' research endeavors. In addition, the St. Louis region offers one of the world's highest concentrations of plant scientists and over 400 biotech companies, creating a dense, innovation-driven ecosystem.
Featured attendees and speakers from left to right: Michael DeCamp, Executive Chairman at Confluence Genetics; Felix Büchting, CEO and Spokesperson of the Executive Board at KWS; James Carrington, President and CEO of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center; Thomas Ehrhardt, Global Head of Research & Development and Services; and Hongwu Jia, Head of GenEd Trait Development and GRC Managing Director.
In celebration of this milestone, the GRC hosted an event that showcased its achievements and upcoming projects at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
The celebratory ceremony featured remarks from distinguished individuals, including Felix Büchting, CEO and Spokesperson of the Executive Board at KWS; Hongwu Jia, Head of GenEd Trait Development and GRC Managing Director; James Carrington, President and CEO of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center; Thomas Ehrhardt, Global Head of Research & Development and Services; and keynote speaker, Michael DeCamp, Executive Chairman at Confluence Genetics.
"As we celebrate this decade of remarkable accomplishments, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of groundbreaking research and innovation. The future holds boundless possibilities, and together, we will continue to shape the frontier of scientific discovery," said Hongwu Jia, Head of GenEd Trait Development and GRC Managing Director.
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