Cibus, Inc. announced that it has entered into a Collaboration Agreement with Interoc focused on the research and development of solutions for agriculture. Starting with Cibus? rice herbicide tolerance traits, Cibus has agreed to partner with Interoc to provide traits for Interoc?s elite rice seed genetics.

Interoc will market high performing rice hybrids and varieties for the Latin American market developed with Cibus? technology expertise. The program will encompass herbicide tolerance traits to support existing needs in terms of weed and resistance management that can contribute to improving yields in a region whose productivity has been increasingly affected by resistant weeds, including weedy rice.

Rice is one of Cibus? lead crops and the first traits for rice are two separate herbicide tolerances ? HT1 and HT3.

The performance of both herbicide tolerance traits has been assessed by Cibus in multi-location field trials across multiple seasons in the United States and will allow quick advancement of the traits in Interoc rice germplasm. Interoc has a strong rice seed presence in Latin American countries and owns an extensive rice germplasm bank. Interoc and Cibus intend to commercialize herbicide tolerance in rice with a focus on the key markets in Latin America.