(Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004 -- CropChoice news) -- ST. LOUIS (Oct. 5, 2004) - Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced that it
has won the key patent battle regarding biotech-gene technology for the
transformation of dicot plants, such as cotton. The decision by the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office that Monsanto’s scientists were the first to
invent this important discovery ends a 12-year patent interference dispute
with the Max Planck Institute and other parties.
The decision, issued yesterday by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, recounts
the basis for finding that Monsanto was the first company to invent
agrobacterium transformation in dicot plants, which eventually gave farmers
the choice to use biotech crops on their farms.
“We are delighted that this scientific dispute has been resolved in Monsanto
’s favor,” said Hugh Grant, chief executive officer for Monsanto. “We’re
pleased for our Chief Technology Officer Robb Fraley, and the team of
devoted researchers at Monsanto who drove the groundbreaking science that
pioneered the tools of agricultural biotechnology.”
Agrobacterium is one of the ways to insert beneficial characteristics into
plants. Monsanto’s Bollgard insect-protected cotton was developed using
agrobacterium transformation for dicot crops.
In 1998, Robert T. Fraley, Ph.D., Robert B. Horsch, Ph.D., Ernest G.
Jaworski, Ph.D., and Stephen G. Rogers, Ph.D., received the National Medal
of Technology for their achievements in plant biology and agricultural
biotechnology, and for global leadership in the development and commercialization of biotech crops to enhance agricultural productivity and
sustainability.
The patent interference was originally declared in 1992.
Monsanto Company a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and
agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.
Note to editors: Bollgard is a trademark owned by Monsanto Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Source: Monsanto