Origin Agritech, in partnership with China Golden Marker Biotechnology, has established the Origin Marker Biological Breeding Service Consortium. The consortium is designed to license Origin’s GM insect resistant and herbicide tolerant traits to a wider range of companies and to accelerate the application of Origin’s gene editing technology in breeding programmes. Following the receipt of a safety certificate for the company's BBL2-2 transgenic maize (see AgbioNews May 10, 2024), the consortium will promote the licensing of these GM traits to seed companies and research institutes, supporting wider adoption across China’s key agricultural regions. The consortium will also focus on advancing gene editing for maize, and research into maize germplasm resources to support breeding companies and R&D teams in creating more diverse and resilient varieties.