Yield10 Bioscience recently filed a request for a Regulatory Status Review (RSR) with USDA-APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) under the SECURE Rule for proprietary elite camelina varieties containing genes enabling the plant to produce the eicosapentaenoic acid component of omega-3 oil. In spring 2023, Yield10 planted omega-3 (EPA) camelina at acre-scale in the U.S. to begin the ramp-up of seed inventory for future planting as well as to produce oil for use in business development activities.

“We believe that camelina represents an ideal platform for the sustainable, land-based production of high value, omega-3 oils targeting the significant market opportunity in animal feed and human nutrition,” said Kristi Snell, chief science officer of Yield10 Bioscience. “This RSR filing is a key milestone for our team as we execute our strategy to develop camelina for large-scale production of omega-3 oils. As we await the response to our RSR filing, we remain focused on conducting seed scale-up activities to generate seed inventory for regulatory activities and future grower contracts.”

In late 2020, Yield10 signed a collaboration agreement with UK-based Rothamsted Research to support the development of omega-3 oils in camelina. In addition, Yield10 signed an exclusive option to sign a global, exclusive or non-exclusive license agreement to the Rothamsted omega-3 technology. Yield10 has prioritized the deployment of the EPA component of omega-3 in camelina as the initial oil profile for commercialization.

Yield10 also plans to produce the EPA component of omega-3 co-deployed in camelina with its advanced technology for a robust trait package including herbicide tolerance. The company plans to follow this with the development of advanced EPA plus docosahexaenoic acid-producing camelina varieties.