Pairwise Secures $40M Series C Funding to Revolutionize Agriculture with Gene Editing

Pairwise Secures $40M Series C Funding to Revolutionize Agriculture with Gene Editing Key Takeaways: Pairwise, a gene editing company focused on agriculture, has raised $40M in Series C funding, led by Deerfield Management with participation from Corteva Agriscience and existing investors. The funding will be used to advance Pairwise's Fulcrum™ Platform and product pipeline, including seedless berries and pitless cherries. Pairwise emphasizes its commitment to improving consumer nutrition, grower economics, and crop climate adaptation. A key partnership with Corteva Agriscience includes a five-year joint venture to accelerate gene editing in agriculture for climate resilience and global food security. Pairwise's Approach and Impact: Pairwise utilizes CRISPR technology to enhance crop traits like yield, climate resilience, and consumer appeal. The company distinguishes itself through: Proven Leadership: Founded by experienced business leaders and pioneers in gene editing, including David Liu and Feng Zhang. Innovative Products: Successfully launched the first CRISPR-edited food in North America - a consumer-friendly mustard green. Strategic Partnerships: Formed partnerships with Bayer for gene-edited greens and short-stature corn, and with Corteva for advancing gene editing research. Proprietary Technology: The Fulcrum™ Platform offers a suite of gene editing tools allowing precise and efficient trait modification. Commercialization Focus: Pairwise's intellectual property and licensing agreements streamline the path to market for its innovations. Quotes of Note: Tom Adams, Pairwise Co-Founder and CEO: “This new investment will enable us to expand the impact of our proprietary Fulcrum Platform as we continue to lead this transformation with our proven ability to deliver novel solutions that address the most pressing challenges in agriculture today.” Cam Wheeler, Partner at Deerfield Management and Pairwise Chairman of the Board: “We believe that the precision, speed, and safety of gene editing is poised to transform agriculture, and our ongoing investment reflects our confidence in Pairwise as the clear leader in this space.” Sam Eathington, Corteva Chief Technology and Digital Officer: “We view gene editing as a critical solution to drive climate resilience across agriculture and global food systems. Pairwise is an obvious choice for our investment to help accelerate innovation through gene editing in fruit, vegetables, and specialty crops." Overall Significance: This funding round underscores the growing confidence in Pairwise's ability to leverage gene editing for a more sustainable and efficient food system. The partnership with Corteva further emphasizes the potential of gene editing to address global challenges in food security and climate change.