Protealis secures global rights to soybean genetics for European markets
Under the terms of the collaboration, Protealis will have exclusive access to test and commercialize selected soybean genetics, supporting the expansion of its breeding portfolio.
CANADA – Protealis, a European specialist in non-GMO legume seeds and seed technologies, has entered a strategic collaboration with the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, granting Protealis global rights to test, select and commercialize soybean varieties developed under Guelph’s breeding program.
The agreement strengthens Protealis’ soybean pipeline by adding later-maturity genetics and enhanced food-grade quality, complementing its existing focus on early-maturing European-adapted varieties.
Under the terms of the collaboration, Protealis gains exclusive access to selected soybean genetics from the University of Guelph.
This allows the company to extend its breeding scope beyond ultra-early maturity groups (00 to 0000) into varieties suited to warmer European growing zones.
The move aligns with Protealis’ strategy to build a broad portfolio of climate-adapted, high-yielding, non-GMO soybeans that meet both agronomic and market requirements across Europe.
“This collaboration with the University of Guelph marks an exciting milestone for Protealis. Combining their globally valued soybean genetics with our expertise in European breeding and seed technologies allows us to expand our geographical reach to additional climatic zones across Europe, and match the needs of both farmers and the growing food market in Europe for high-yield, high-protein, non-GMO soy,” explains Benjamin Laga, CEO of Protealis.
David Buckeridge, chairman of the Board of Directors of Protealis, said the partnership accelerates the company’s long-term breeding ambitions.
“The University of Guelph is one of Canada’s leading research institutions with decades of excellence in soybean breeding. This collaboration puts Protealis on a fast track to build one of Europe’s most complete pipelines of climate-adapted soybean varieties.”
The University of Guelph hosts Canada’s largest concentration of plant scientists and is widely recognized for its research infrastructure and long-standing expertise in soybean breeding.
Its soybean genetics are known for reliability, yield stability and quality traits. Canada is itself a major soybean producer, with annual output of around 7.6 million metric tonnes, supported by decades of public and private breeding investment and strong export-oriented production systems.
Dr. Istvan Rajcan, Ph.D., Professor of Soybean Breeding & Genetics at the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph, said the partnership brings together complementary strengths.
“Protealis brings extensive expertise in adapting soybean genetics to European growing conditions, combined with innovative work in seed inoculation and legume breeding,” he said.
He added that this collaboration allows us to align complementary strengths and support the development of non-GMO soybean varieties that meet the agronomic, quality, and maturity requirements of European growing regions.
The agreement comes as Europe continues to face a structural dependence on imported soy. The region imports more than 34 million tonnes of soy annually, largely sourced from Brazil, Argentina and the United States, to supply food, feed and processing markets.
Rising logistics costs, sustainability requirements and demand for traceable non-GMO protein are increasing interest in locally produced soybeans.
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