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PMI breakthrough offers alternative to antibiotic resistance marker genes
for genetically enhanced crops
Basel, 23 May 2000 - In response to consumer concerns, a novel marker gene system
called PMI is being hailed as a breakthrough for plant biotechnology. Pioneered
by Novartis and collaborators, the PMI system offers a novel and efficient
alternative to antibiotic resistance or herbicide tolerance marker genes in many
genetically enhanced crops.
Novartis is currently working with PMI in several crops, in particular
maize and wheat. Regulatory dossiers for the first commercial release of these
crops with novel traits, which have been introduced using PMI, are expected
to be submitted to regulatory authorities within 12-24 months.
Novartis plans to make the technology widely available to both the biotechnology
industry and the academic scientific community through simple licensing procedures.
PMI has already been licensed to more than 100 advanced academic and industry
research laboratories around the world that are developing more productive and
healthier food crops.
Novartis will provide PMI royalty-free for subsistence farmers in developing
countries, through local institutes or companies, where appropriate regulations
are in place to confirm user and consumer safety, and protect local environments
for crops modified using PMI.
Dr. Johanna Puonti-Kaerlas, of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, who
has been using PMI in her research, reported, "The
positive selection system based on mannose has been used successfully in cassava,
a crop of significance to the developing world, and this may eventually be useful
as a replacement for antibiotic resistance marker genes in the future."
Marker genes allow scientists to select cells that can express improved traits.
Other marker selection systems employ antibiotic or herbicide resistance marker
genes and a chemical to eliminate unwanted cells. PMI provides a selection
system based on a marker gene that enables plant cells to use a simple sugar
(mannose) to grow and form new plants.
PMI is an alternative to antibiotic resistance genes as markers in future
genetically enhanced crop varieties and will likely be welcomed by regulatory
authorities responsible for assessing GM crops worldwide. Antibiotic marker systems
do not create a risk to farmers or consumers but such systems are often confused
with antibiotic use in healthcare. Novartis has pledged to phase out such antibiotic
resistance markers in developing its future products, as alternative selection
systems such as PMI become available.
Wally Beversdorf, Head of Research and Development at Novartis Seeds, said: "By
developing PMI and making a firm commitment to phase out the use of antibiotic
resistance marker genes wherever possible, we have shown how good science can
address public concerns and offer innovative solutions."
The foregoing press release contains forward-looking statements, which can be
identified by terminology such as "hailed
as", "will", "may eventually be", "in the future", or similar expressions. These forward looking statements involve known and
unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results
to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements
expressed or implied by such statements. In particular, management's expectations
regarding the future success of PMI could be affected, by among other things,
uncertainties relating to research and product development; unexpected regulatory
delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or
maintain patent and other proprietary intellectual property protection; and competition
in general.
Novartis is a world leader in healthcare with core businesses in pharmaceuticals,
consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal health. In 1999, the Group (including
Agribusiness) achieved sales of CHF 32.5 billion and invested more than CHF 4.2
billion in R&D.
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis employs about 82 000 people and
operates in over 140 countries around the world. The Group recently announced
plans to spin off its Crop Protection and Seeds sectors and to merge them with
the agrochemicals business of AstraZeneca to form a new company, Syngenta, in
the second half of 2000.
For media inquiries, contact:
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