Fulcrum platform includes proprietary editing tools, enzymes, and trait libraries designed for precise crop genetic modification
Netherlands-based plant biotechnology company Hudson River Biotechnology (HRB) has entered into a licensing agreement with US gene-editing specialist Pairwise, gaining access to the Fulcrum plant gene editing platform in a move aimed at strengthening its crop improvement and breeding capabilities across multiple agricultural segments.
Under the agreement, Hudson River will incorporate Fulcrum tools into its genome editing services for customers working in vegetables, soft fruits, and other crop species. The partnership is expected to broaden the company’s technical offering by complementing its existing BioMaas workflow with an expanded suite of precision editing technologies.
Hudson River Biotechnology specialises in genome editing, plant regeneration, and trait development, with a focus on enabling transgene-free crop improvement directly within elite breeding lines. The company said the addition of Fulcrum would allow it to support a wider range of breeding applications and provide greater flexibility to customers seeking advanced gene-editing solutions.
According to Hudson River, demand for genome editing technologies is rising steadily among plant breeders and crop developers as the agriculture sector increasingly prioritises precision breeding, improved productivity, and accelerated trait development. The company noted that integrating Fulcrum into its platform would enhance its ability to deliver targeted crop innovation through collaborative and adaptable partnership models.
Pairwise described the agreement as part of its broader strategy to expand the reach of its Fulcrum platform across more crop categories and breeding programmes globally. The company indicated that the collaboration with Hudson River would help extend the application of its gene-editing technologies into specialty crops where Hudson River already maintains active customer relationships.
Fulcrum is Pairwise’s integrated plant gene editing platform comprising proprietary editing tools, enzymes, and trait libraries designed to enable precise genetic modifications across a broad range of crop species. The platform has been developed and validated through Pairwise’s own breeding programmes and is licensed to agricultural and biotechnology partners worldwide.
The partnership reflects the growing momentum behind precision breeding technologies within global agriculture, particularly as seed companies and crop developers seek faster and more targeted approaches to improving crop resilience, quality, and yield performance.
