Agritope, Inc. today announced that it has successfully developed a unique technology platform for the creation of novel plant varieties containing increased levels of naturally occurring phytochemicals, called nutraceuticals.
Nutraceuticals are nutrients in foods that may provide health benefits and prevent or treat diseases. Agritope’s new MetaGene(TM) Metabolic Genomics Technology facilitates the rapid identification of the specific genes that regulate the levels of phytochemicals such as carotenoids, lycopene, flavonoids, isoflavones, vitamins, folic acid and various elements and minerals.
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“The MetaGene platform brings together a blend of Agritope’s proven activation tagging gene discovery technology and rapid, high resolution phytochemical discovery to capture a much sought after niche in medicinal plant biotechnology,” said Adolph J. Ferro, president and chief executive officer. “In the first months of this program, Agritope scientists have already used this technology platform to identify tomato lines with distinct properties. We plan to develop an extensive botanical library with robust databases to create a very powerful genomic resource.”
The MetaGene platform provides a direct link from these phytochemicals to the genes responsible for their production in a model plant, a dwarf tomato variety called Micro-Tom. Tomato was selected for this platform because it already possesses a wide array of phytochemicals at low levels, is extensively studied genetically, and is an excellent model for many other crops. Micro-Tom, originally developed at the University of Florida, is a true dwarf tomato and can be rapidly propagated at high density, thus making the generation of the botanical library extremely efficient.
“In recent years there has been an increased awareness by both the general public and the scientific community of the potential that natural compounds in plants may have in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The current global market for nutraceuticals is estimated at $65 billion and it is currently experiencing double-digit growth. As a result, many of the larger consumer products and pharmaceutical companies have become increasingly attracted to this growth potential,” added Ferro.
Agritope has filed patent applications on the MetaGene technology, and has already produced a botanical library of more than 5,000 lines that the company is currently using for nutraceutical analyses. The company plans to generate over 200,000 lines over the next several years. In addition to screening for increased levels of nutraceuticals, the botanical library can be used to screen for new therapeutics, antimicrobial compounds, colorants and metabolites of interest to the cosmetic industry, as well as high-throughput screening for new drugs of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. This utility of the MetaGene program has great potential, as about 25% of all human therapeutic compounds are of plant origin.
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By GlobalDataAgritope is an Oregon-based agricultural functional genomics and biotechnology company that develops improved plant products and provides technology to the agricultural industry. Its fruit and vegetable division specializes in the development of improved fruit, vegetable and flower varieties. Agrinomics LLC, its 50% owned joint venture with Aventis CropScience, conducts a research, development and commercialization program in the field of plant functional genomics. Vinifera, Inc., its majority owned subsidiary, offers superior grapevine plants to the premium wine industry.
Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that expressly or by implication predict future results, performance or events are forward-looking. The words “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and similar expressions often identify forward looking-statements. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. With respect to Agritope, these factors include its limited independent operating history; uncertainty of additional funding; loss or impairment of sources of capital; dependence on strategic partners; uncertainties relating to patents and proprietary information; dependence on key personnel; technological change and competition; uncertainties as to consumer acceptance of genetically engineered products; changes in laws or regulations; as well as the other factors discussed in Exhibit 99 to the Company’s 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Agritope does not intend to update any forward-looking statements.
