BEIJING - (Business Wire) Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ: SEED) (“Origin”) announced today that it has compiled a strategic advisory committee (SAC) of the most prominent and influential agricultural scientists in China. The SAC will provide external advice to Origin Agritech on strategic choices, scientific vision, and matters related to optimizing the scientific discovery potential of Origin Agritech in China. The SAC is comprised of eminent scientists, most with extensive scientific discovery and scientific policy expertise. The Origin Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) is comprised of experts in agricultural research and biotechnology. The SAC acts as a bridge between the Origin, the scientific discovery community, and the scientific policy making community. The SAC also provides Origin with internationally renowned expertise in agricultural biotechnology.
The SAC is a key group involved in establishing the strategic direction and vision for Origin Agritech, particularly in the promotion of a broad spectrum of research of genetically-modified products. Members of the SAC have substantial research track records within their area of expertise. Dr. Gengchen Han, the Chairman of Origin Agritech and Professor Fan will Co-Chair the Committee.
The committee will be composed of prominent members including:
| | | | | Professor Yunliu FAN – Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor and former Director of the Biotechnology Research Institute, China Academy of Agricultural Sciences. | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Professor Jingrui DAI – Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor of China Agricultural University. | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Dr. Yongbiao XUE – Director of the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Secretary General of Genetics Society of China. | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Dr. Jianmin WAN – Director of the Institute of Crop Science of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Professor Zhongping LIN – Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Peking University. | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Professor Weicheng CHEN – Origin Chief breeder, former executive director of Genetics Society of China. | | | | |
Dr. Gengchen Han, Origin’s Chairman, commented, “We believe this group will provide the clear vision to develop Origin Agritech for the long term. We are not only honored to have these distinguished guests participate in strategic direction of our company, but excited about the limitless potential when these prominent individuals put their minds together.”
About Origin
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Beijing, Origin Agritech Limited (NASDAQ GS: SEED) is China’s leading, vertically-integrated agricultural technology company specializing in agri-biotech research, development and production to supply the growing populations of China. Origin develops, grows, processes, and markets crop seeds to farmers throughout China and parts of Southeast Asia via a network of approximately 3,800 first-level distributors and 65,000 second-level distributors and retailers. The hybrid seed industry is estimated at US $2.5 billion and that is expected to double within the next five years. The Company currently operates facilities in 30 of 32 provinces in China. Since Origin launched its first entirely internally developed seed in 2003, the Company has developed 26 proprietary corn seed products, 19 proprietary rice seed products, 5 proprietary cotton seed products and 4 proprietary canola seed products that are in commercial production and distribution as of December 2008. For further information, please log on www.originagritech.com.
Forward Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "targets," "goals," "projects," "continue," or variations of such words, similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Neither we nor any other person can assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, those risk factors discussed in Origin's filings with the SEC including its annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 23, 2009. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Origin Agritech Limited
Irving Kau, 949-726-8101
011-86-136-8108-0243
Vice President, Finance
Irving.kau@originseed.com.cn
