BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Origin Biotechnology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ: SEED) announced it has reached an comprehensive, worldwide agreement with the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). CAAS jointly own the rights to the internally developed Bt-gene. Bacillus thuringiensis or “Bt” is a common soil bacterium that produces crystals that are toxic to certain insects. Origin Biotechnology already possesses the rights to this genetic trait in domestic China, and has been passing this product through the Ministry of Agriculture regulatory trials. This particular Bt- gene, demonstrated to be effective in both laboratory and field environments, is novel to the consumer markets in that it has never been commercialized, and is protected by patents granted separately by China and USA separately.
