Agribody Technologies, Inc.

Agribody Technologies Inc. (ATI), a subsidiary of Global Clean Energy Holdings (GCEH), is a biotech company that improves crops to have higher yield, abiotic stress tolerance, and an extended shelf life to reduce food waste from perishability. The company was acquired by GCEH in April 2021 and was integrated into GCEH’s operations. 

ATI’s business model involves co-development or licensing patented crop yield-enhancing technology with its seed company partners. The company's crop variety focus includes corn, soy, alfalfa, cotton, sugarbeet, camelina, canola, potato, peanut, beans, rice, rose, sorghum, and others.

ATI’s CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cms1 gene editing technology improves crops by changing two highly conserved genes' expression or activity levels (eIF-5A or DHS). The gene editing is achieved through small, targeted mutations, without any foreign DNA in the final crop. Its genome editing also avoids concerns with transgenics, resulting in the reduction of risk and costs, and speeding up commercialization. 

The ratio of the crop’s protein products determines whether the cell will continue to grow and divide or enter senescence/apoptosis and die. The technology has enhanced crop traits with results including 1) delayed senescence, fruit ripening, and spoilage, leading to extended shelf life; 2) enhanced tolerance to diseases and stress; and 3) increased biomass and seed yield. ATI’s technology also demonstrated 20%–45% crop yield improvements in alfalfa without compromising quality during two years of field trials. 

Key customers and partnerships 

Agribody Technologies partnered with Benson Hill in August 2018 to develop and deliver non-GMO yield and sustainability traits for seed companies working in corn, soy, alfalfa, cotton, sugarbeets, canola, potatoes, peanut, beans, rice, sorghum, wheat, and flowers.