Evogene has developed computational biology platforms leveraging
big data and artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning algorithms. In June 2007,
Haaretz reported that Evogene announced a collaboration with SunGene of Germany to develop plant biotechnology-engineering techniques. The project was supported by the Israel-Germany BioDisc program, the Israeli
Ministry of Science and Technology, and Germany’s
Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The collaboration aimed to develop methods for improving gene implantation in crops. In September 2008, Evogene formed a joint venture with the Leviev Group and Ormat Group to develop and commercialize castor plants for
biodiesel production in Namibia. In June 2009, Evogene signed a licensing agreement with
Syngenta to develop soybean strains resistant to
nematode pests. The agreement included research funding, milestone payments, and potential royalties, and was part of Evogene’s ongoing collaborations with firms such as Monsanto and
Bayer. In March 2015,
The Times of Israel reported that Evogene was using
genomic technologies, including its PointHit platform, to analyze molecules in weeds and identify plant
macromolecules for
herbicide development. The article also noted that
Monsanto was a major investor in the company. In July 2018, Evogene partnered with Brazil’s Instituto Mato-grossense do Algodão (IMAmt) to identify genes for insect-resistant cotton targeting the
boll weevil and
fall armyworm. In June 2020,
The Jerusalem Post reported that Evogene was among the companies selected to participate in a NIS 36 million consortium funded by the
Israel Innovation Authority to develop genome editing tools using
CRISPR and artificial intelligence. Evogene states that its computational platform is designed to improve the efficiency of life-science product development by leveraging big data and AI. The company reports that its approach aims to reduce development time and cost while identifying potential products with lower toxicity. Its reported partners include BASF (OTCQX:BASFY), Bayer (OTCPK:BAYZF), Corteva (CTVA), ICL Group Ltd. (ICL) as well as academic and medical institutions.
Subsidiaries In October 2014, Evogene’s subsidiary Evofuel signed an agreement with the
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) to develop castor cultivation technologies for
biofuel production. In August 2022,
The Jerusalem Post reported that Evogene’s subsidiary Biomica began a Phase I clinical trial for its microbiome-based drug candidate BMC128 at
Rambam Health Care Campus. The drug, developed using Evogene’s MicroBoost AI platform, is designed to improve cancer patients’ response to
immunotherapy. In December 2022, Biomica secured a $20 million funding agreement led by Shanghai Healthcare Capital to advance its microbiome-based therapeutics. In June 2023, Casterra, a subsidiary of Evogene, signed a $9.1 million agreement with an international oil and gas company to supply castor seeds for biofuel production in Africa. According to
The Times of Israel, the seeds were developed using genomic methods based on Evogene’s computational platform to increase oil yield. == References ==