Bioceres secures U.S. patent for drought-tolerant HB4 wheat, paving the way for commercial rollout
USA – Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp., an Argentina-based agricultural technology company, has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to commercialize its genetically modified HB4 wheat in the United States.
On March 4, the company announced it had received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its first event-specific patent covering the drought-tolerant wheat variety.
This patent, the first of four potential patents Bioceres is pursuing for HB4 wheat in the U.S., will provide intellectual property protection for the technology and its associated production system until 2042.
The patent approval comes just months after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted Bioceres regulatory clearance for the cultivation of HB4 wheat in August 2024.
This followed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval in 2022 for the use of HB4 wheat in food and feed. The U.S., the world’s fourth-largest wheat producer with nearly 40 million acres harvested in the most recent marketing year, represents a critical market for the adoption of this innovative crop technology.
HB4 wheat is engineered to offer improved tolerance to drought and enhanced weed management options compared to conventional wheat varieties.
According to Bioceres, field trials have demonstrated that HB4 wheat can increase yields by an average of 20% under water-limited conditions, a significant advantage in regions where water scarcity is a growing concern. The technology is particularly well-suited for double-cropping systems, where efficient water management is essential.
In addition to its drought-resistant properties, HB4 wheat contributes to sustainable farming practices. When integrated into no-till soy-wheat rotations, the crop has been shown to fix an estimated 1,650 kilograms of carbon per hectare per year into the soil.
This contrasts conventional soy monoculture systems, which typically result in positive carbon emissions.
Commitment to responsible commercialization
Following the patent, Bioceres has emphasized its commitment to responsible commercialization of HB4 wheat.
The company has pledged to adhere to the “Wheat Industry Principles for Biotechnology Commercialization,” a framework developed by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).
These principles include maintaining open dialogue with stakeholders, securing regulatory approvals in major export markets, establishing tolerance thresholds for low-level presence, providing trait detection tests, and ensuring product stewardship through education and outreach.
Michael Peters, former chairman of USW, expressed cautious optimism about the potential impact of HB4 wheat.
“A drought-tolerant trait offers more stable and sustainable production,” Peters said following the USDA’s approval last August.
“At the same time, it is important that customers who may be concerned about introducing transgenic wheat into U.S. supplies understand the industry supports their ability to purchase the type of wheat they want. That remains our policy after more than 16 years,” he added.
The United States is the fourth country to approve the production of HB4 wheat, following Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Additionally, the technology has been approved for food and feed use in several other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, Thailand, Indonesia, Colombia, and Chile. This global regulatory acceptance underscores the potential for HB4 wheat to address food security challenges in water-scarce regions worldwide.
The commercial rollout of HB4 wheat in the United States will follow a broad licensing approach, Bioceres said, consistent with the company’s recently announced go-to-market strategy for its HB4 technology.
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