Enza Zaden, a Netherlands-based vegetable breeding company that develops and supplies vegetable seeds for some 30 crops to growers worldwide, has entered 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,” says 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.”
Co-founded by the inventors of CRISPR, Pairwise’s Fulcrum Platform aims to accelerate the development of climate-resilient, nutritious and sustainable crops. By integrating advanced gene-editing tools with its intellectual property portfolio, Pairwise says the platform enables accelerated agricultural innovation worldwide.
“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,” says 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.”
To learn more about the partnership, The Packer connected with Xana Verweij, global biotech director for Enza Zaden.
What are the most pressing challenges vegetable growers face today that gene editing can solve, and how will Enza Zaden and Pairwise joining forces help to expedite these solutions?
Verweij: The world’s population is growing rapidly, and climate change is intensifying the challenges faced by vegetable growers. At Enza Zaden, we contribute to the global availability of healthy food and a sustainable future by developing vegetable varieties that, for example, are resistant to diseases and better able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
The agreement with Pairwise is focused on research and innovation in plant science, supporting Enza Zaden’s mission to breed vegetables that help feed the world. Gene-editing technology will be used to enhance our research programs. The goal is to accelerate the development of improved vegetable varieties that meet the evolving needs of growers, retailers, and consumers.
Are there certain types of vegetables on which Enza Zaden will be focused using the Pairwise platform breeding tools?
The GE technology and IP licensed from Pairwise will be used to enhance Enza Zaden’s research programs. The goal is to accelerate the development of vegetable varieties that meet the evolving needs of growers, retailers and consumers. At this moment all use is focused on research; any future commercial use will be considered in line with regulatory and market developments and Enza Zaden’s strategy.
What are some of Enza Zaden’s past vegetable seed innovation success stories, and what impact have they had on the fresh produce industry?
Enza Zaden has developed tomato seeds with resistance to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), a major global threat to tomato production. These resistant varieties help growers maintain yields and fruit quality, reduce losses and ensure a reliable supply for retailers and consumers.
Each year, Enza Zaden introduces approximately 100 new varieties designed to help growers worldwide produce healthy, diverse and sustainable food. Do you expect the partnership with Pairwise will eventually result in the commercial launch of new vegetable seeds?
The agreement is focused on research use at this moment; there are no genome-edited varieties being introduced to the market as part of this agreement. Enza Zaden’s commitment to non-GMO commercial breeding remains unchanged. Possible commercial use will be communicated when relevant.
