Syngenta has acquired the Novartis repository of natural compounds and genetic strains for agricultural use.

Syngenta says the move gives the company access to an important source of novel leads for agricultural research, and offers Syngenta integrated capabilities in bioengineering, data science, fermentation, downstream processing, as well as analytics.

As part of the agreement, which is expected to close on June 1, Syngenta will lease the Novartis fermentation pilot plant and science laboratories located in Basel, Switzerland. The transaction also includes transfer of the Novartis Natural Products and Biomolecular Chemistry team to Syngenta.

This acquisition follows the start-up of Syngenta’s new biologicals production facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina, U.S. The facility is Syngenta’s first world-scale production facility for agricultural biologicals in the U.S. and will support growing demand for science-based and novel biological solutions in both the North and Latin American markets.

RELATED:
Syngenta and TraitSeq collaborate on development of biostimulants
Syngenta collaborates with Ginkgo Bioworks to launch biologicals