Corteva, a global leader in agricultural technology, and Pairwise, a pioneering gene editing company, have announced a new collaboration aimed at delivering advanced gene editing solutions to farmers. This partnership seeks to address key challenges in food production, including those exacerbated by climate change, by utilizing a plant’s own DNA for precise improvements. Gene editing offers farmers a critical tool to boost productivity while benefiting the environment and consumers.
Central to this collaboration is Corteva’s $25 million equity investment in Pairwise, made through its new innovation and partnership platform, Corteva Catalyst. This platform focuses on driving value creation by accessing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The investment is expected to expand the reach of gene editing across a wide range of staple and specialty crops.
In addition to the investment, Corteva and Pairwise are launching a joint venture to accelerate the deployment of advanced gene editing technologies. This venture, which will span five years, aims to increase crop yields for food, fuel, and fiber production in the face of climate change. By combining the gene editing expertise of both companies, the venture will generate and assess unique gene edits across multiple traits in various crops.
Building on Corteva’s legacy in plant breeding and genetics, the companies will collaborate on developing gene-edited products that are more resilient to extreme weather and other climate-related challenges.
“Gene editing is a game-changer for agriculture, offering the potential to advance climate resilience and boost productivity needed to feed and fuel the world’s growing population,” said Sam Eathington, Corteva’s chief technology and digital officer. “We’re excited to work with Pairwise to bring the benefits of gene editing to farmers and consumers alike.”
Pairwise CEO and co-founder Tom Adams added, “Gene editing is poised to transform agriculture, enabling crops that are more adaptive to climate change, more nutritious, and economically beneficial for growers. Through our Fulcrum™ Platform, we’re leading the way in applying this revolutionary technology, and our partnership with Corteva will help bring its benefits to global stakeholders even faster.”
Pairwise has made significant strides in gene editing, having launched the first CRISPR-edited food in North America last year. The company is also developing multiple products across key crops such as corn, soy, wheat, canola, and blackberries. Its proprietary Fulcrum™ Platform allows for highly precise genetic modifications, enabling the development of new plant varieties more efficiently than traditional breeding methods.
This marks the first major equity investment and joint venture under Corteva Catalyst, reflecting Corteva’s long-standing commitment to innovation and partnerships with the global scientific community.
