Monsanto Acquires Agradis
31 January 2013 
Monsanto purchased some assets of Agradis, a genomics-driven crop protection venture formed last year by California’s Synthetic Genomics and Mexican firm Plenus.
Agradis is the brainchild of J. Craig Venter, the genetics scientist who pioneered the sequencing of the human genome. Venter also engineered the synthetic cell and partnered with ExxonMobil in 2009 to research algae-based biofuels, among other groundbreaking achievements.
Monsanto also snapped up the company’s R&D site in La Jolla, California.
“Agradis’ collection of plant associated microbes will support Monsanto’s efforts to provide farmers with sustainable biological products to improve crop health and productivity,” said Steve Padgette, Monsanto R&D investment strategy lead.
Venter stated, “We are pleased that Monsanto realizes the potential of the Agradis science and technology as evidenced by their acquisition of some key assets of the company. We look forward to working with Monsanto to continue to generate innovation in agribusiness.”
The assets of Agradis not purchased by Monsanto include castor and sweet sorghum breeding and genetic optimization technologies, as well as a novel product used to prevent fungal growth on fruits and vegetables. These assets will continue to be advanced by Agradis in a new company, AgraCast.
As part of the deal, Venter’s Synthetic Genomics and Monsanto entered a multi-year agricultural collaboration. They will focus on the “analysis of microbe-plant communities and screening for beneficial microorganisms that could be used to develop additional biological products to improve agricultural productivity.” Monsanto also made an equity investment in Synthetic Genomics.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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