Bayer is collaborating with Meiogenix to accelerate the development of the French biotech’s proprietary technologies for plant breeding and genome editing applications.

The German group said the R&D partnership could potentially deliver much-needed plant health and nutrition improvements to food crops.

“Farmers need innovative solutions as they face limited natural resources and a changing climate,” said Jeremy Williams, Bayer’s head of plant biotechnology, crop science research & development.

“Access to Meiogenix’s proprietary technologies could improve the precision and speed with which our breeders enhance crops, which could ultimately accelerate those solutions for the diverse needs of people and our planet.”

Meiogenix’s proprietary technologies are used to induce the exchange of genomic regions between chromosomes of plant cells during meiosis, the natural process that generates genetic diversity during plant breeding.

Technologies based on meiotic recombination provide commercial crops with access to a broader genetic diversity, including complex traits for improved food quality, plant resistance to diseases and pests, and higher yield potential.

“Agriculture is facing the challenge of adjusting plant physiology to rapid climate, pest and disease changes, as well as preparing the next generation of healthier food. Collaborating on these new breeding technologies will be key to bringing innovative solutions to farmers and consumers,” added Luc Mathis, strategic advisor at Meiogenix.

As part of the project, Meiogenix will also collaborate with top academic institutes to advance the technologies in crops.

The collaboration is not the first between the two companies. In April 2016, Bayer’s Crop Science division entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Meiogenix to apply the Paris-headquartered firm’s SpiX technology in crops.

SpiX is a plant breeding technology that increases the genetic diversity of plant germplasm by redirecting meiotic recombination.