Origin Agritech to launch triple stack trait GM corn in China

Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) (the "Company" or "Origin"), announced that its GMO corn hybrid is the one and only triple stacked trait corn selected for the national demo plot and is currently being grown there in anticipation of a 2023 commercial launch.

The hybrid has the approved triple stack traits BFL4-2, which is comprised of two different insect resistance genes, making it resistant to all the major corn pests, as well as an herbicide resistance gene. BFL4-2 is considered by many in the industry to be the 'crown jewel' of current seed traits in China as it is the only approved triple stack trait. Using its proprietary germplasm and transgenic technology, Origin collaborated on the development program for BFL4-2 and is the only company to have the stacked traits integrated into hybrid corn, giving it a several year head start over potential competition.

Origin filed for variety approval in March for four different varieties containing BFL4-2, including the Company's NEC corn, making this highly sought after variety even more desirable with dramatically increased yields. Given the typical timeline, approval for these varieties could happen this summer for a 2023 commercial launch.

"I believe that having this 'crown jewel' triple stacked trait integrated into four of our hybrid corn, along with our other traits in the approval process including our drought resistance gene, really puts us in the pole position in the race to commercialize GMO corn in China," said Origin Agritech's Chairman Gangchen Han. "I am very thankful that the MOA recognized the importance of our revolutionary new GMO corn varieties by including them in the demo plot. We have been preparing for the move to GMO positive for over a decade and I believe we are the best positioned company to capitalize on this multi-billion-dollar market opportunity."