Vylor puts open-innovation strategy into action with Rainbow Crops gene-editing deal

Corteva spin-off Vylor has partnered with Belgian biotech Rainbow Crops to develop climate-resilient corn using AI and multiplex gene editing, offering an early glimpse of how its new Vylor Edge investment platform plans to combine external innovation with Vylor’s genetics and commercial capabilities

Vylor has teamed up with Belgian start-up Rainbow Crops to accelerate the development of novel gene-edited corn traits, in what looks like an early example of the seed giant putting its new Vylor Edge open-innovation strategy into action.

Vylor, the advanced seed and genetics business due to separate from Corteva on October 1, will combine its gene-editing capabilities with Rainbow Crops’ AI-supported Trait Foundry platform.

The companies aim to develop corn hybrids that are more resilient to stresses including heat, drought and flooding, while potentially improving input efficiency and yields.

Rainbow Crops’ platform combines AI, multiplex genome editing, precision breeding and automated phenotyping to tackle complex traits controlled by multiple interacting genes, including drought tolerance and plant vigour.

“Rainbow Crops’ AI-enabled multiplex gene editing capabilities will allow us to make hundreds of gene edits simultaneously, while validating performance in state-of-the-art phenotyping facilities as well as through field trials,” said Mat Muller, who will lead Vylor Edge.

Vylor Edge begins to take shape

But potentially more significant than the individual corn project is what the collaboration says about Vylor’s innovation model after its separation from Corteva.

Vylor Edge is being established as an investment platform through which the company plans to work with start-ups, universities, entrepreneurs and other technology developers.

That creates a model in which Vylor does not necessarily have to develop every technology internally. Instead, it can bring promising outside technologies into its substantial genetics and breeding R&D operation through investments and strategic partnerships, with licensing also expected to play an important role in Vylor’s wider growth strategy.

The Rainbow Crops partnership provides an early illustration of that approach: an external AI and gene-editing platform is being combined with Vylor’s existing capabilities in crop genetics, gene editing, phenotyping and field testing.

“This partnership further cements Vylor’s leadership in this emerging science by leveraging Rainbow Crops’ proprietary, cutting-edge technology,” Muller said.

From Corteva Catalyst to Vylor Edge

There is also important continuity between Vylor Edge and Corteva’s existing external-innovation activities.

Corteva Catalyst participated in Rainbow Crops’ recently closed €9.7 million seed financing round, and that investment will transfer to the Vylor Edge portfolio following the separation.

The collaboration therefore shows how Vylor plans not only to inherit Corteva Catalyst investments relevant to its seed and genetics business, but potentially build deeper R&D relationships around them.

Rainbow Crops itself was spun out from Belgian life sciences research institute VIB.

“Our early work in corn has been an important proof point for Rainbow Crops and has shown the potential of our Trait Foundry platform to accelerate the development of complex traits,” said Giacomo Bastianelli, CEO and co-founder.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Vylor, a global leader in advanced seed and genetics, to explore new opportunities for innovation in corn.”