Innovus Licence Agreement to Benefit Local Grapevine Industry

InnovUS, the technology transfer company at Stellenbosch University (SU), has concluded a licence agreement with local agri-biotechnology company Genetwister Africa that is set to provide a tremendous boost to the local grapevine industry. 
In terms of the agreement, the Department of Genetics at SU will grant the use of a grapevine virus molecular diagnostic protocol to Genetwister Africa that will allow the company to accurately identify the following viral infections in grapevines: Grapevine Leafroll Virus, Grapevine Virus Complex, Rupestiris Stem-pitting Virus and Grapevine Fanleaf Nepovirus. The method is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which allows for accurate and unbiased detection of viruses within hours.
“Although the grapevine viruses concerned cannot be transferred to humans, they can have a significant impact on the economics of wine and table grape production and general vineyard health. The innovation is the brainchild of the Vitis Laboratory in the Department of Genetics at Stellenbosch University and inculcates the know-how and methods developed in this laboratory for local viral strains,” explains InnovUS Business Developer Saberi Marais.

The agreement is the result of an increasing demand from the agricultural industry for diagnostic tests for plant viruses. While the SU Genetics Department is capable of developing new diagnostic tests, as an academic institution, they do not have the required capacity to test vast amounts of plant samples. The SU Genetics Department therefore approached InnovUS for assistance with the facilitation of a license discussion and agreement. “We met with Genetwister Africa on a number of occasions, compiled a license agreement and ensured its successful conclusion” says Saberi.

This licence agreement follows a similar agreement concluded last year with Genetwister Africa by InnovUS and the Department of Genetics, which concerned the diagnostic protocol used to test for a variety of viruses affecting deciduous fruit trees in the local industry. These agreements are in line with Genetwister Africa’s service offer of cutting edge molecular diagnostic tests helping the South Africa agriculture industry to combat plant diseases.