Bioceres, Colorado partner to advance drought-resistant HB4 wheat in the US
The agreement combines Bioceres’ proprietary HB4 technology with CWRF’s leadership in US wheat innovation to create a next generation wheat production system.
USA – Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp., based in Rosario, Argentina, and the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation (CWRF), a farmer-governed nonprofit organization headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, have entered into a strategic collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize drought-resistant HB4 wheat varieties for the United States market.
This advancement follows the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) approval of the HB4 drought-tolerant trait in wheat in August 2024, which cleared the path for its cultivation in the country.
The collaboration aims to improve productivity for growers while ensuring greater supply stability for customers, aligning with broader environmental and sustainability objectives.
The partnership, announced on September 23, integrates Bioceres’ proprietary HB4 technology with CWRF’s expertise in wheat innovation to establish a next-generation production system focused on climate resilience and sustainable weed management.
The HB4 technology incorporates a modified gene from sunflowers to enhance drought tolerance in wheat, demonstrating an average yield increase of 20% under water-limited conditions, according to Bioceres.
“This collaboration marks a significant step forward for HB4 wheat in the United States and aligns with our renewed seed strategy to focus on our core strength of developing cutting-edge science and to partner with top-tier industry players to bring it to life through breeding and commercialization,” stated Federico Trucco, Chief Executive Officer of Bioceres Crop Solutions.
He added that by combining our HB4 trait platform with CWRF’s industry leadership, Bioceres is building the foundation for a next-generation wheat production system that enhances grower profitability and aligns with global sustainability goals.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bioceres will provide CWRF with exclusive, sublicensable rights to the HB4 trait within the United States. CWRF will act as the trait manager, promoting broad access to the technology for third-party breeding programs and commercial channels, while also spearheading engagement with U.S. stakeholders.
Additionally, the partners will collaborate with industry participants to develop, register, and commercialize new broad-spectrum herbicide formulations specifically designed for HB4 wheat. These formulations will incorporate Bioceres’ biological solutions to create an advanced, sustainable system that prioritizes grower performance and environmental safety.
Brad Erker, Executive Director of CWRF, commented, “This is an important milestone for the wheat industry and sets the stage for long-term innovation in this important crop. We are proud to support open and inclusive access to HB4 technology and to lead U.S. stakeholder engagement to ensure its responsible rollout.”
Bioceres will retain responsibility for all regulatory activities related to the HB4 trait, ensuring compliance with the U.S. Wheat Industry Principles for Biotechnology Commercialization. This includes obtaining approvals in key export markets, setting tolerance thresholds for low-level presence, and implementing trait stewardship measures such as detection tools and certified seed systems.
The HB4 trait will be offered through an open licensing model, making it accessible to any public or private wheat breeding program in the United States, while maintaining standards of quality, transparency, and stewardship.
The announcement has received support from U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), an organization representing the interests of U.S. wheat producers.
Mike Spier, President and CEO of USW, remarked, “We recognize the opportunities this advancement in breeding technology will bring to U.S. wheat production and look forward to seeing how this trait performs in U.S.-developed varieties.”
“We are also listening closely to our U.S. wheat farmer leaders and our global customers, which is why we especially appreciate the commitment of Bioceres and CWRF to the Wheat Industry Principles for Biotechnology Commercialization, developed jointly by USW and the National Association of Wheat Growers,” he added.
According to U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the continued open conversations as HB4 wheat enters the wheat breeding pipeline ensure our customers know their concerns are being heard and that the U.S. wheat store will remain open to meet their desired preferences for wheat purchases.
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