US biotech giant Monsanto is to collaborate with pest-control firm Divergence to develop nematode-resistant soybeans.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Soybean cyst nematode attacks the roots of soybean plants during the growing season, and the annual US yield loss can amount to a billion-dollar problem for soybean growers.


As part of the collaboration, Monsanto will gain exclusive rights to Divergence’s existing technology in this area and will provide funding for ongoing research performed by Divergence. Divergence will also receive milestone payments based on research and development success, and royalties once products reach the marketplace.


“Monsanto is committed to remaining a leader in providing important traits to growers that will allow them to realise maximum productivity and to investing in improvements that allow US soybean growers to be competitive in the world marketplace,” said Robert Fraley, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Monsanto.


“Divergence is unique in its focus on controlling parasitic nematodes, and its use of innovative science in the discovery and development of leads gives Monsanto a running start in the search for tools to combat this problem,” he added.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact