Syngenta/Devgen ink RNAi insect control deal

Syngenta and the Belgian biotechnology company, Devgen (Ghent), have agreed a global licensing and development deal for the use of RNA interference (RNAi) technology to develop new biological control systems for “hard to control” insect pests. The six-year deal will allow Syngenta to use Devgen’s RNAi technology platform in its crop protection pipeline. From April 2013, the companies will jointly develop new biological insect control solutions based on RNAi technology. Syngenta will also develop and commercialise sprayable RNAi-based crop protection products originating from Devgen. In turn, Devgen will receive royalties from products developed through the collaboration agreement, an up-front technology access payment of €22 million ($28.6 million) plus annual payments of €4.8 million ($6.2 million) to fund research over the course of the agreement.