Path to Become a Paradigm Changer from Within

Agricultural Production Support through Accelerated R&D of Crop Breeding Based on Genome Editing

We are accelerating our initiative to provide solutions to food issues through fusion of our unique genome editing technology and cutting-edge gene delivery technology, aiming to enter the seed business for genome-edited crops, which have high growth potential.
In August 2020, we signed an agreement with Japan Tobacco Inc. to acquire its assets related to plant biotechnology(*1).
This asset acquisition is aimed at accelerating R&D of genome edited-crops and innovating conventional crop breeding by using our core technology “In planta Genome Editing Technology(*2)” (iPB method), which is highly efficient and applicable to a wide range of commercial crop varieties, and Japan Tobacco Inc.’s state-of-the-art research facilities, global network with the Ag-bio industry, and cutting-edge gene delivery technology.
Under the new R&D system, we will promote the acquisition of useful seed technology and the sophistication of our core technology, making maximum use of open innovation.
We will strengthen the license business of gene delivery technology and contract R&D of crop seeds(*3) with functionality tailored to customer needs and high yield, aiming to enter the seed business for genome-edited crops, which have high growth potential.
Based on the concept that Kaneka thinks “Wellness First”, we will accelerate the development of solutions for global food issues, ensuring safe, secure, and stable food supply.

*1 Breeding technology to introduce beneficial traits, such as disease resistance, into plants (tissue culture technology, gene delivery technology, etc.).

*2 Technology for rapid breed improvement which enables gene modification without integrating a genome-editing enzyme gene into the plant chromosomes.

*3 Developing genome-edited seeds based on customer requests.