Caption: The DuPont/IPP-CAAS collaboration will focus on improving in-plant insect control in crops of worldwide agricultural importance, including corn; click here for a high-resolution photo.

DES MOINES, Iowa, and BEIJING, March 24, 2009 – DuPont and the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPP/CAAS) today announced they have entered into a multi-year, exclusive research collaboration to improve in-plant insect control to help increase yield in crops of worldwide agricultural importance.

Under the agreement, DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred will collaborate with the Institute of Plant Protection to identify novel genes to develop and commercialize in next-generation seed products. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Global agriculture must produce sufficient quantities of food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population,” said William S. Niebur, vice president – DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development. “This innovative partnership between established leaders in plant biotechnology will create novel genetic-based solutions that will drive increased productivity by farmers in China and around the world to help meet increasing consumer demand.”

The Institute of Plant Protection and Pioneer will apply their collective expertise in microbial screening, molecular biology and genomics to discover gene leads that protect crops from yield losses due to destructive insect pests. Pioneer researchers will use gene shuffling, molecular breeding and other proprietary trait enhancement tools to further develop these gene leads. An accelerated trait integration process will be utilized to incorporate traits into high yielding products rapidly to enhance product introduction timelines and increase global agricultural productivity.

“The continual discovery and development of new traits for insect and pest control is important not only for providing growers with enhanced options but also for solving the challenges of insect resistance. We are pleased to be collaborating with a global leader like Pioneer to bring our institute’s novel insect control options to the world market,” said Professor Kongming Wu, director general – Institute of Plant Protection of CAAS.

The Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences is a leading research institute devoted to developing new science and technologies for agricultural applications.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

3/24/09