#USA #St. Louis #Agricultural Technology #Plastomics #Chloroplast Engineering

Plastomics Advances Agricultural Biotechnology with Series B Funding

Plastomics, a revolutionary force in agricultural biotechnology, has successfully closed the initial phase of its Series B funding round, securing an impressive $5.8 million. This funding will spearhead innovation in crop science, particularly focusing on its proprietary corn chloroplast transformation technology. The round saw participation from esteemed investors including Fulcrum Global Capital, Lewis Clark Partners, Skull Diamond, Heart Capital, and the Missouri Technology Corporation, showcasing a robust commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices.

A New Era in Crop Science

The financial backing represents a strong endorsement of Plastomics' pioneering chloroplast engineering technology. As co-founder and managing partner of Fulcrum Global Capital, John Peryam, noted, Plastomics is set to redefine standards in agricultural biotechnology. By leveraging this investment, the company aims to transform how traits are introduced in crops, which will consequently promote the development of varieties that are not only more resilient but also productive and sustainable.

The Advantages of Chloroplast Engineering

Plastomics’ chloroplast engineering platform offers distinct advantages over traditional gene delivery methods:

• - No Pollen Outcrossing: Chloroplasts are uniquely capable of avoiding transmission through pollen, thereby eliminating concerns about genetic outcrossing to non-transgenic plant species.
• - Maternal Inheritance: This characteristic of chloroplast traits simplifies the integration of these traits into commercial breeding pipelines, ultimately accelerating the time to market for new crop varieties.
• - Higher Expression and Durability: Chloroplasts can yield higher durability and efficacy in insect resistance traits compared to older methods, enhancing plant health and yield.
• - Precision and Predictability: A significant advantage of Plastomics’ process is the precise and predictable insertion of traits, which reduces the risk of unintended effects often seen in traditional transgenic technologies.

A Milestone in Agricultural Innovation

The recent capital infusion empowers Plastomics to expedite the development of the first transgenic traits in corn chloroplasts, a breakthrough following their success in soybean chloroplast transformation. Over the next 12 to 24 months, the company plans to conduct final field trials for its advanced chloroplast trait delivery platform aimed at soybeans, which promises enhanced insect and herbicide protection for farmers.

“This investment validates our vision and expertise in the field,” remarked Tania Seger, CEO of Plastomics. “In a challenging economic environment, attracting nearly $6 million from leading investors demonstrates their confidence in our mission to deliver groundbreaking transgenic traits in corn chloroplasts.”

Plastomics’ technology not only paves the way for improved agricultural practices but also positions the company as a leader in the quest for sustainable food production amidst global demands. With a strong emphasis on innovation and resilience, Plastomics is on track to set new benchmarks in the agricultural biotechnology sector.

For more information on Plastomics and its initiatives, visit Plastomics’ website.