Gene editing, a transformative technology reshaping agriculture, is now at the forefront of innovation for developing climate-resilient crops. At the center of this revolution is Pairwise, a pioneering startup focused on advancing gene editing for plants. In a landmark development, Pairwise recently secured $40 million in Series C funding, raising its total equity funding to $155 million. The company also formed a groundbreaking five-year collaboration with agricultural technology giant Corteva to further its mission of enhancing crop resilience, particularly in corn and soy, through gene editing.
This joint venture between Pairwise and Corteva represents a significant leap in the adoption of gene editing technologies in agriculture. As climate change challenges traditional crop production, this partnership promises to increase yields, improve sustainability, and introduce new, desirable traits in staple crops.
Pairwise’s $40M Series C Funding: Who’s Involved?
The Series C funding round was led by Deerfield Management and included returning investors such as Aliment Capital and Leaps by Bayer. Corteva’s participation through its Corteva Catalyst platform, contributing $25 million, highlights the strategic importance of gene editing in the agtech industry. This new influx of capital will be instrumental in scaling Pairwise’s product pipeline and further advancing its suite of gene editing tools, known as ‘Fulcrum’.
According to Dr. Tom Adams, CEO of Pairwise, this funding is an “incredible validation” of the startup's technology and signals that gene editing will play a major role in the future of agricultural innovation. The partnership with industry heavyweights Bayer and Corteva provides Pairwise with access to vast resources and millions of acres of farmland, further positioning the company as a leader in this transformative space.
What Is Gene Editing, and Why Is It Different from GMOs?
Gene editing, particularly using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, is often misunderstood as just another form of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, unlike GMOs, which introduce foreign DNA from other species, gene editing works by tweaking an organism's existing DNA. CRISPR-Cas9, sometimes called "programmable DNA scissors," allows scientists to make highly precise changes to a plant's genetic code.
In practical terms, gene editing enables the deletion, activation, or modification of genes responsible for undesirable traits. For example, crops can be edited to be more resilient to drought, pests, or diseases without introducing external genetic material. This technology has fewer regulatory hurdles than traditional GMOs in most jurisdictions, making it more accessible for widespread use.
Dr. Adams explained the precision of gene editing using a simple analogy: “If you have a red apple that’s perfect except consumers want it yellow, you can mutate the gene responsible for its color while leaving its disease resistance and yield traits intact.”
The Collaboration with Corteva: A Game Changer for Climate Resilience
Pairwise’s five-year collaboration with Corteva signals a powerful union of technological innovation and agricultural expertise. Dr. Sam Eathington, Corteva’s Chief Technology and Digital Officer, emphasized the precision and speed that gene editing brings to crop breeding. Traditional methods often involve a degree of randomness, with breeders hoping to achieve desired traits while unintentionally introducing unwanted ones. With gene editing, however, breeders can target specific genes and ensure only the desired traits are retained.
Corteva, which has been involved in gene editing for years, believes this collaboration will accelerate progress in developing climate-resilient crops. Eathington likened the partnership to a “one plus one equals three” scenario, where Pairwise’s innovative tools combined with Corteva’s proprietary capabilities could yield exponential benefits.
Gene editing also offers significant promise for improving crop quality, particularly in corn and soy, which are vital to global food supply and biofuel production. Traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional profiles can all be targeted to ensure higher productivity and sustainability.
Gene Editing’s Regulatory Landscape
While gene editing faces fewer regulatory hurdles than GMOs, the regulatory landscape is still evolving globally. In the Americas, policies are generally favorable, with the exception of Mexico, which has taken a more conservative stance. China has approved gene-edited crops for cultivation, and Japan has already commercialized them.
In Europe, gene editing has seen a notable shift since its 2018 central ban on such technologies. Although not fully embraced, positive rhetoric is increasing, with workable policies on the horizon that will enable the cultivation and export of gene-edited crops.
The regulatory environment will shape the trajectory of gene editing's role in agriculture. As Dr. Eathington noted, multiplexing, a gene editing technique that allows for targeting multiple genes simultaneously, is particularly important as Europe begins to refine its policies.
The Future of Agriculture: Pairwise, Corteva, and Beyond
Gene editing is poised to be transformative in plant breeding as climate change continues to introduce new challenges to food production. From drought tolerance to pest resistance and increased yields, the technology will help create crops that are more adaptable to the world’s changing environments.
Both Pairwise and Corteva have a vast library of germplasm—the genetic material necessary for reproduction in plants—allowing them to draw upon an extensive gene pool for developing new crop varieties. This diversity is crucial for creating crops with optimal traits for modern agricultural needs.
As Eathington explained, the possibilities are vast: “A plant breeder can now say, I need these genes, I need variability in these genes, and I want to put together these combinations I haven’t seen before.” This targeted approach will significantly reduce the trial-and-error process of traditional plant breeding, leading to faster and more reliable innovations.
Conclusion
Pairwise’s recent $40 million funding round and strategic partnership with Corteva underscores the importance of gene editing in the future of agriculture. With the potential to improve climate resilience, yield, and sustainability, gene editing is set to revolutionize the way crops are bred and cultivated.
As global agricultural challenges continue to mount, the Pairwise-Corteva partnership is not only timely but also essential. Together, these companies are creating the next generation of crops that will help feed the world while navigating the complexities of a changing planet.
The future of agriculture lies in precision, speed, and adaptability, and gene editing stands at the heart of this transformation.
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