DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND MICROBIAL BIOLOGY

The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at UC-Berkeley signed a 5-year, $25-million research agreement with Novartis (currently Syngenta) in 1998. The university researchers were also given access to Novartis’ gene-sequencing technology and DNA database on plant genomics. “Novartis was given first rights to negotiate licenses to patents on a proportion of the discoveries made in the department, and received two seats on a five-member committee set up to select research projects. (http://www.mindfully.org/GE/GE4/Novartis-Revisited-ChapelaFeb02.htm; accessed 3/30/05) The collaboration ended in 2003. (Cummings, Claire Hope. “Trespass,” World Watch, 1/1/05, p.24)