The latest hemp genetics news and research updates on US breeding and genomics supporting the development of adapted hemp seed varieties.
New West Genetics Awarded High-Value Hemp Patent Claims
(June 25, 2019. Fort Collins, CO. ) Today New West Genetics (NWG) announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has allowed the Company’s patent claims for novel hemp varieties. This patent is the first to claim commercial hemp varieties that combine market valued traits with adaption for large-scale field production. A snapshot of those traits includes enhanced cannabinoids and terpene compositions, coupled with stable low THC content to mitigate regulatory risk. Years of research are required to successfully demonstrate patentability of crop traits. Yet with the historic hemp prohibition in the US, active commercial breeding by crop scientists did not occur prior to 2014. As CEO Wendy Mosher explained, “We launched our research in 2014, and utilized intensive phenotyping and a very narrow selection filter over multiple generations. That foundation enabled us to file a first-of-its-kind patent application. We have closely watched this patent progress through the examination pipeline; from provisional filing to published application, and from office action to the notice of allowable claims. This milestone further cements NWG’s first-mover status and demonstrates our dedication to data-based improvements that move hemp into a viable commercial option for agriculture.” All of NWG’s crop varieties are bred traditionally and informed by whole-genome analysis; resulting in high yielding, precision bred products that are made without transgenic (GMO) technologies. Rich Fletcher, the lead inventor on the patent and NWG’s Director of Breeding noted “More than ten generations of work and data were incorporated into this patent filing, which defines genetics that are novel [...]
New West Genetics Files for First PVP Certificate for AOSCA Certified Hemp Seed
Today, New West Genetics announced that NWG-ELITE®, its high-yielding hemp grain variety, has been submitted for approval under the newly authorized USDA Plant Variety Protection (PVP) program. NWG-ELITE® is currently the only adapted and AOSCA-certified hemp seed variety produced in the U.S. The rapidly growing hemp industry passed another milestone on April 24, 2019, when the USDA announced that the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Office will begin accepting applications for seed propagated hemp varieties. “PVP delivers an important form of protection commonly granted to other crops. This is a significant step forward for the hemp industry.,” said Heidi Nebel, Managing Member and Chair of the Chemical and Biotechnology Practice Group at McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC. “Our firm was pleased to work with New West Genetics as one of the first companies to take advantage of this protection.” The U.S. Plant Variety Protection Act, passed in 1970, encourages breeders to invest their effort into the developments of new varieties that are novel, uniform, and stable. If a breeder suspects an infringement on their IP rights, they can bring the case to a civil court and seek compensation under the PVP Act. These rights are also recognized under an international Plant Breeder’s Rights protection system. New West Genetics CEO, Wendy Mosher, noted “Our company has been at the forefront of protecting our novel genetic inventions, first, by creating a robust utility patent portfolio, and now, by submitting the first application for PVP rights for an AOSCA certified hemp variety.” With the passage [...]
New West Genetics leads Kentucky trials
New West Genetics leads Kentucky trials, rolls out production of high CBD, stable low THC hemp seed variety. Today, New West Genetics announced that its proprietary hemp varieties, NWG-ELITE and NWG-RELY, placed in the top of trials conducted last summer at the University of Kentucky (see https://bit.ly/2CmVOEq). The dual-purpose trial included seven other varieties from various suppliers in Canada and Europe. NWG-RELY, which was optimized for growing in the Southeastern US, won first place in both grain and straw yield, and NWG-ELITE, which is adapted for growing conditions in the Mountain West and Great Plains, won third place. New West Genetics’ Director of Breeding, Dr. Richard Fletcher comments, “Our commitment to breeding hemp varieties containing high value cannabinoid traits and high yielding agronomic traits is paying off. These traits bring increased value to farmers and hemp product makers, which in turn establishes a solid foundation for the emerging industry.” New West Genetics has used its deep understanding of the hemp genome and conventional breeding to create several varieties for rapidly growing markets of hemp pharmaceuticals, edibles, cosmetics, and feed. The Company, which launched its breeding effort in 2014, has been intently focused on cannabinoid content and the broad terpene spectrum, and has protected its products with US and international patent filings. New West Genetics has used GMO-free methods to create varieties with enhanced CBD and CBG, and a true THC zero trait, all the way through harvest and drying, trademarked as THCØ™. The Company will grow its first high CBD / [...]