Vegetable breeder will use gene editing technology to accelerate research and drive the development of novel crop varieties and sustainable farming practices
Enza Zaden, a global leader in vegetable breeding that develops and supplies innovative vegetable seeds for growers worldwide, has announced a strategic agreement to license Pairwise’s Fulcrum platform, a suite of precision plant breeding tools.
“At Enza Zaden, our mission is to grant people everywhere access to healthy vegetables by developing high-quality varieties and seeds,” said Jaap Mazereeuw, CEO of Enza Zaden. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to breakthrough plant science and responsible innovation to benefit growers, consumers, and the environment. Pairwise’s Fulcrum platform equips us with advanced tools for research, strengthening our ongoing focus on sustainability and creating value for our customers.”
Enza Zaden is currently focused on evaluating gene editing for research purposes in vegetable crops. While the agreement covers both research and potential future commercialisation, Enza Zaden has no immediate plans for a commercial launch.
Any future commercialisation will depend on regulatory developments, market readiness, and company strategy. Enza Zaden said it supports regulatory developments that enable the responsible use of gene editing and will consider commercialisation when legislation, market readiness, and company strategy are aligned.
“Enza Zaden has a long tradition of developing innovative vegetable varieties. We’re proud to support them in accelerating the natural potential of crops with cutting-edge tools,” said Tom Adams, CEO of Pairwise.
“Gene editing is a precise, modern breeding method that complements traditional approaches, enabling breeders to achieve results faster while addressing key challenges like sustainability and disease resistance. Gene editing represents a vital tool for advancing resilient, climate-smart crops that align with sustainable agriculture goals.”
Pairwise’s Fulcrum platform is a CRISPR toolbox that is gaining momentum across the agriculture value chain and has proven to work in diverse crop types. By integrating advanced gene editing tools with a strong intellectual property portfolio, Pairwise said the platform enables accelerated agricultural innovation worldwide.
