License to Omega-3 assets
Nufarm’s seed technologies platform (Nuseed) announced the signing of a license to certain omega-3 intellectual property assets, materials, and know-how for producing oil in camelina. Producing omega-3 fatty acids in Camelina may represent a way to enable a predictable, land-based supply of high-quality omega-3 oils to meet the growing global demand for eicosatetraenoic acid (“EPA”) and docosahexaenoic acid (“DHA”). Currently, the primary source of EPA and DHA remains ocean-caught fish, where omega-3 oil produced from anchovy harvest is the industry benchmark. Over the last few years, there has been increasing pressure on the supply of omega-3 oil due to over-fishing.
Nufarm is a global leader in plant-based omega-3. Nufarm’s Omega-3 Canola was the first commercial plant-based source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, with the oil from this novel crop currently sold as Aquaterra® and Nutriterra®. Currently, the primary source of EPA and DHA remains ocean-caught fish. Growing demand for omega-3 is expected to put increasing pressure on this finite supply. The development of plant-based sources of omega-3 can provide a sustainable and reliable alternative resource.
Yield10’s Camelina platform fits strategically with Nufarm’s Omega-3 platform providing EPA and DHA profiles and herbicide tolerance traits that are complementary to those present in Nufarm’s Omega-3 Canola. The potential to grow camelina as a winter cover crop also expands the possible growing period and regions for plant based omega-3. Potential applications include nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and aquafeed.
Nufarm intends to continue the further development, regulatory approvals, and commercialisation of Omega-3 Camelina with a focus on the development of winter varieties that can be grown as a cover crop, potentially providing another valuable source of income to farms, opening large accessible acres for expansion, and contributing to lower-carbon sustainability objectives.
Nufarm also has interest in the further development and application of Yield10’s winter camelina as a cover crop into the bioenergy sector in combination with further improved stacks of herbicide, oil and meal improvement traits.
Nufarm CEO, Greg Hunt said, “Yield10 camelina assets and know-how in both omega 3 and bioenergy sectors have a unique fit with Nufarm’s Value Beyond Yield® and platform strategies. While the program still requires further development time and investment before achieving revenue, it offers a broadened portfolio of solutions for our customers both at the farm gate and with end-use customers.”
Read more in the Nufarm July 17, 2024 Press Release. Yield10 Bioscience Grants Nufarm a Commercial License to (globenewswire.com)
