FuturaGene was acquired, in July 2010 by Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A., a Brazilian company and the second largest producer of eucalyptus pulp in the world. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzano, FuturaGene is continuing its worldwide biotech activities with enhanced resources driving its mission to be a world leader in plant genetic research and development for global biofuel, forestry and agricultural markets. FuturaGene Inc was developing tomato and rice prototypes which will be able to grow in high salt and drought stress environments. The firm took the currentlyunusual move of offereing Stock on the Altenative Investment Market on the London (UK) Exchange. FuturaGene was R&D focused in the agribiotechnology area. The Groups enabling technology comprises of a patented portfolio of genes which enhance the function of genes already present in the plant through over expression of these genes. The genes that FuturaGene have identified confer enhanced tolerance and enable the plant to withstand extreme environmental stresses such as cold, drought, fungal/pathogens and high salt concentrations. These stresses, also known as abiotic stress, over time weaken the plants natural defenses resulting in the loss of some 70% of the crop yield and a financial loss running into millions of dollars to farmers worldwide.
