Yield10 Bioscience recently filed a request for a Regulatory Status Review (RSR) with USDA-APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) for proprietary elite Camelina sativa (camelina) varieties designed to produce seed oil containing both essential omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The genetic pathway deployed in the omega-3 camelina DHA1 line described in the company’s submission produces oil containing approximately 10% EPA and 10% DHA, closely resembling the omega-3 EPA/DHA fatty acid profile of northern hemisphere fish oil.

Yield10 is making plans to conduct fieldwork with omega-3 (EPA+DHA) camelina to begin the ramp-up of seed inventory for future planting as well as produce omega-3 oil for use in business development activities. The company recently partnered with BioMar to commercialize a camelina crop containing enriched levels of EPA and DHA equal to fish oil.

“Based on the scientific work published by the Rothamsted Institute, including salmon feeding and human clinical trials, we believe the camelina omega-3 technology represents an ideal platform for the sustainable, land-based production of high value, omega-3 oils to address the significant potential opportunity in the global aquafeed and human nutrition markets,” said Kristi Snell, chief science officer of Yield10 Bioscience. “We believe camelina-based production of omega-3 oil containing EPA and DHA is a promising solution to address the ongoing shortfalls in the supply of omega-3 oil from fish oil and sustainably meet the projected increase in global demand for omega-3 oil in the years to come. We are focused on advancing our omega-3 oil-producing camelina along the regulatory path, building seed inventory and engaging with potential commercial partners.”