WRAL Highlights Hi Fidelity Genetics

In a recent article, regional technology publication WRAL highlighted Hi Fidelity Genetics as an outstanding Research Triangle based company. From the article:

Philip Benfey, Ph.D, a Duke biology professor and co-founder of HFG, told the Biotech Center in an earlier interview that “We’re in the process of developing a fully integrated seed company. Our goal is to sell conventional corn seed. We’re not doing genetic modification. It’s data driven and exploits our intellectual property around root traits.”

Spencer Maughan, Ph.D., co-founder of HFG and Finistere Ventures, said in a news release: “In agriculture, the most consolidated point of value and technology is genetics because the only thing a farmer actually has to buy to be in business is a seed.”

He added, “Unfortunately, many farmers don’t have access to high-quality genetics at reasonable cost. By using novel data sets and predictive data science to create the first end-to-end predictive breeding platform for crops, HFG is changing this paradigm and empowering farmers.”

HFG said it will use this investment to bring its breeding platform to the $500 billion global agricultural seed market, with an initial focus on broad acre crops such as corn and cotton.

“When my team at DuPont Pioneer created the industry-leading, drought-tolerant AQUAmax maize hybrids, we were the first to apply genomic selection to develop commercial products,” said Mark Cooper, Ph.D., consulting CTO at HFG. “I’m excited to work with HFG to take this powerful breeding technology to the next level for the benefit of farmers.”