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Contact:
Dr. Mervyn Jacobson, 970/493-3113
ISIS Public Relations, 970/484-7500
XY Inc. Enters Commercial Phase
FORT COLLINS— Throughout 2004, XY Inc. has signed key agreements
that fully launch XY Inc. into its commercial phase and benefit livestock
producers worldwide.
“We have moved forward thoughtfully in commercializing XY ®
sex-selection technology over the last several years,” said XY
Inc. CEO Mervyn Jacobson. “We now feel fortunate to have formed
alliances with several organizations that share XY Inc.’s commitment
to sound reproductive science -- and our desire to make this technology
available worldwide.”
XY Inc. Expands Its Pool of U.S. Licensees
Over the last six months, XY Inc. has signed agreements with several U.S. companies pursuing commercial activity that uses XY® sex-selection techniques.
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In March XY Inc. and Trans Ova Genetics (www.transova.com), the global leader in embryo production and transfer, signed an agreement that allows Trans Ova – located in Sioux City, Iowa, USA – to provide its customers with sexed cattle embryos to ensure calves of the desired sex. (See complete story in XY Files # 8)
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Also in March, XY Inc. and IND Lifetech, Inc. (www.indlifetech.com), based in British Columbia, Canada, signed a pre-commercial license to produce cattle embryos in Pennsylvania, USA, and Canada for export to China. IND Lifetech Inc. is an advanced biotechnology company that combines genomic and reproductive technologies to advance human health and agriculture.
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In April, with the formal approval of XY Inc. and supported by the USDA, Inguran (www.sexingtechnologies.com), located in Navasota, Texas, USA, began offering complete sexed-semen services in conjunction with bulls custom collected at Genetic Resource International. The USDA’s formal approval of the sale of sorted cattle sperm in the U.S. is a first in the history of the U.S. cattle market. XY Inc. initially licensed Inguran in 2003.
• In August, XY Inc. and Evergen Biotechnologies, Inc. (www.evergen.com), located in Storrs, Conn., USA, signed a pre-commercial license to begin the sophisticated process of technology transfer and pre-commercial trials to produce cattle embryos for export to China. The company uses cutting-edge embryo biotechnologies in the research, development, production and distribution of biological products and services.
• In August, XY Inc. approved Inguran to begin global export of straws of sexed cattle sperm made in the USA.
Activity in Mexico
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XY-Mexico, SA d’CV, Torreon, Mexico, which was established in July 2003 as a subsidiary of XY Inc., began commercial sales of sexed straws of cattle sperm in October. Conception rates of 60%, purity rates of 90% and high-yield production rates positively position XY-Mexico to enter the Mexican dairy cattle market.
Update on South America
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Inguran, XY Inc.’s Texas licensee, has an option to a future exclusive license for cattle in Colombia and co-exclusive license for cattle in Brazil.
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In March, XY Inc. approved Goyaike S.A. (www.goyaike.com), a leading cattle-breeding company in Argentina, to begin commercial sale of sorted equine sperm in that country. Previously, in 2003, Goyaike began commercial sales of sorted cattle sperm in Argentina. Goyaike also holds co-exclusive commercial rights for cattle in Brazil and pre-commercial rights for sheep in Argentina.
China Connections
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In August 2004, XY Inc. and DakoCytomation signed a joint deal worth more than $10 million to help improve milk production in China. The two companies signed an agreement with Gold Cattle Bio. Inc. and China National Animal Breeding Stock Export/Import Corporation (CABS).