Rothamsted Research, an agricultural research organisation based in the UK, has granted Yield10 Bioscience an exclusive global commercial licence to advanced technology for producing omega-3 products in Camelina sativa. The technology has been developed by inserting algal genes into camelina in the hopes of establishing an alternative and more sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acid production, ensuring supplies of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Currently, omega-3 is typically sourced from ocean caught fish. Omega-3 fatty acids and the components EPA and DHA are understood to have potential downstream uses in aquafeed, petfood, and human nutrition.

Yield10 Bioscience filed a request for regulatory status review (RSR) with USDA-APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) under the Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) Rule for proprietary elite camelina varieties designed to produce seed oil containing both essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA earlier this year (see AgbioNews Jan 9, 2024). The company previously entered into a camelina licensing agreement with Rothamsted Research in 2023 (AgbioNews Oct 19, 2023).