25/10/04

The reality of geminivirus resistant crops is one step closer with Farmacule receiving very positive results using its proprietary INPACT technology during recent laboratory trials on tobacco yellow dwarf virus (TYDV) in tobacco plants.

The geminivirus family of viruses devastate a vast range of food and fibre crops primarily in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.

Recent experiments in tobacco, our model system, have produced excellent evidence of resistance to TYDV in first generation plants.

"We are very confident in the successful outcome of second generation trials due to be completed next month, so much so, that we aim to publish our work in a leading international biotechnology journal in early 2005" said Prof James Dale, Farmacule's Chief Scientific Officer.

To date, no other organisation has been able to successfully develop complete resistance to these viruses. However Farmacule believes its innovative technology will ensure it is the first company to deliver total resistance to a geminivirus infection in plants.

Prof Dale went on further to say that "Publication of our research will be exciting news for the agri-biotechnology industry, with first time evidence of long-lasting and complete geminivirus resistance in crops."

One example of the commercial significance of the devastating impact of geminiviruses is seen in Pakistan and India, where cotton leaf curl virus is the major limiting factor for cotton farmers in those countries. In Pakistan alone, the impact of the disease is estimated to cost the economy US$1 billion per annum.

Commercial opportunities in virus resistance are now beginning to emerge for Farmacule, with a large multinational company interested in the international cotton industry indicating its interest in Farmacule's virus resistance research. A meeting has been planned with this group during the November 2004 AusBiotech conference in Brisbane.

Farmacule's proprietary INPACT technology allows for plants to be genetically enhanced by incorporating 'resistance' genes which are then activated upon exposure to a particular disease agent, therefore protecting the plant from infection.

In addition to virus resistance in tobacco and cotton, Farmacule is also developing other virus resistant crops, with its first generation banana plants to be screened for resistance to banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) during October 2004. In this regard, the company is currently in negotiations with the University of Hawaii to perform field trials of these banana plants in Hawaii in early 2005.

Farmacule is also in the early stages of developing tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV) resistant tomato plants. It is anticipated Farmacule will demonstrate TCLV resistance by mid 2005.

The possibilities for inclusion of valuable agronomic traits (such as virus resistance) in commercial crops using Farmacule's INPACT technology are commercially significant and have potential applications in a number of plant types on a global scale. The global production loss of crops due to insects and disease is estimated to be over US$200 billion per annum.

It is hoped that advances in agri-biotechnology, such as Farmacule's INPACT technology, will be able to render many crops immune to many important diseases, thereby providing massive economic savings to the global farming industry.