Equinom, a seed-breeding technology company

 

Equinom, a seed-breeding technology company, creates superior food ingredients using precision breeding methods. Utilizing DNA sequencing, big data processing and proprietary algorithms, we enhance the nutritional values of grains and develop new varieties that represent the best of what nature has to offer. We partner with companies from the entire food ingredients supply chain, to develop varieties to exact specifications.

Equinom’s technology makes our breeding process 10-times more accurate than traditional methods, and cuts time-to-market by half. As a result, we are transforming the economics of mid-size market crops by opening them up to the benefits of advanced breeding technologies and the profits associated with implementing them.

Equinom is currently focused in two major areas:

Sesame, where we have revolutionized the market by developing superior-quality, high-yield varieties that can be harvested mechanically.

Protein, where we are focused on developing high-yield legume varieties with increased levels of protein, to develop the alternative protein to soy.

FAQ

How does Equinom’s technology differ from other methods that also use data sequencing to detect quantitative traits?

While practiced methods such as Genomic Selection or Genome Wide Association studies are designed to predict a single trait, Equinom is the only technology which facilitates prediction of the combined performance of multiple traits in a single product variety. We take advantage of the dramatic decline in the cost of DNA sequencing over the past decade, and use it as a central and integral part of our modern breeding methodology instead of just as a supplement for the research processes.


Can Equinom breed any combination of traits?

Generally speaking the answer is YES. However, several preconditions must apply:

1. Traits must exist in nature

2. Traits need to be defined very accurately by our customer

3. Traits can be measured in a high throughput process

4. There is a high heritability factor

5. Breeding must take place an the location where crops are intended to grow


What levels of pea protein are you able to achieve in peas?

Equinom has existing lines with over 30% protein. Based on our progress and protein levels observed in nature, we expect these levels to increase significantly in our future lines.


Does Equinom also breed other food products?

Equinom has successfully bred commercial seeds for peppers and quinoa, but our current focus is on our sesame seeds for oil and confectionary, and plant protein. We are also interested in developing new markets, mainly opportunities involving crops that have a current market value of $1-10B.

From the Fields