Genus enters Chinese pig collaboration
The initial phase of the collaboration, which is expected to take several years, focuses on the research, development and regulatory approval in China of PRRSv-resistant pigs. BCA will establish and fund a specific, wholly owned corporate entity for the purposes of the collaboration, which will be called Beijing Shou Nong Future Bio-Tech Co (BCA Future Bio-Tech).
Under the terms of the transaction, Genus will receive a cash consideration under the development and technology licence agreement of US$20m, in aggregate, upon the satisfaction of certain commercial and regulatory milestones relating to the development programme.
The collaboration was set up in response to previous efforts by China to modernise its pork production being hindered by disease outbreaks like PRRSv, for which there is no cure.
BCA Future Bio-Tech and Genus also intend to cooperate to research and develop solutions to other major challenges facing the Chinese pork industry, including African Swine Fever. At the same time, the parties will explore ways to accelerate the use of PIC genetics in China through the phased integration of PIC genetics into BCA’s current 6,000 sow capacity breeding facilities and their planned major expansion in response to the shortage of quality breeding stock in China caused by African Swine Fever.
Bill Christianson, COO of Genus PIC, said: “The combination of PIC’s PRRSv-resistant genetics and related breeding knowhow, along with BCA’s deep understanding of the porcine sector in China and its distribution channels, plays to the strengths of each party. We are looking forward to rapidly progressing the PRRSv resistance program in collaboration with BCA and launching this important new product in China with our partners.”
Liu Jiantong, general manager and vice chairman of BCA, added: “We are excited to collaborate with Genus PIC, the world’s leading porcine genetics company, for the registration and launch of PRRSv-resistant pigs in China as an important step in a broader partnership. BCA is a leading agricultural company that focuses on providing high-quality and modern technology to Chinese animal protein producers. Our exclusive collaboration with Genus PIC in China on this cutting-edge technology and other future ventures further expands BCA’s presence in the animal protein genetics sector and is consistent with BCA’s long-term strategy.”
