NRGene and Pure Cannabis Research AG Team Up for Novel Cannabis Production

NESS ZIONA, Israel, and ZUG, Switzerland, August 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Complete genomes and pangenomes of multiple varieties to enhance R&D for new and improved cannabis varieties for superior cultivation that are rich in beneficial compounds 

NRGene, the leading provider of genome-wide sequencing and analysis, has partnered with Pure Cannabis Research AG, a Swiss breeding company that focuses on developing novel cannabis varieties. Pure Cannabis Research AG is a subsidiary of the Pure Holding AG.

The non-exclusive partnership between NRGene and Pure Cannabis Research will facilitate more rapid development of cannabis varieties than the current industry standard.

The varieties of Pure Cannabis Research will be tailored to its customers' needs, including healthier, hardier plants that are optimal for production, as well as custom cannabinoid, terpenoid, and flavonoid profiles. These metabolite profiles are key for targeting specific therapeutic uses, such as pain relief and sleep support, as well as providing unique flavor profiles for energy drinks and tobacco-alternative products.

"We're at the forefront of providing safe, non-addictive, CBD-based products for tobacco alternatives, beverages, cosmetics, and other uses for the Swiss and European markets," said Stevens Senn, CEO of Pure Holding Group. "NRGene has refined the process for identifying key genetic traits across virtually any species of plants, so we are partnering with them in order to support our breeding program and develop plants with any trait that is biologically possible to best serve the international and national markets with new varieties."

Pure Cannabis Research is leveraging NRGene's DeNovoMAGIC™ technology for the assembly of multiple cannabis genomes. NRGene's DeNovoMAGIC is a powerful platform that was used successfully to assemble the first-ever complete wheat genome. Their success has continued to potato, strawberry, barley, rye, and oat, which all have larger and/or more complex genomes than that of humans.

On behalf of Pure Cannabis Research, NRGene will use its PanMAGIC™ technology to create the world's first cannabis pangenome. This pangenome project will create a collection of sequences that will provide unique and essential insights into the natural genetic diversity of cannabis. PanMAGIC will compare all cultivars to each other to create the highest resolution of local genomic differences of each cultivar and genomic regions that define traits that give the cultivar its prized characteristics. Then, NRGene's GenoMAGIC will be used to identify markers for key traits. GenoMAGIC™, NRGene's cloud-based multi-purpose platform, will couple the genetic diversity of cannabis with Pure Cannabis Research breeding program. GenoMAGIC has already been adopted by some of the world's leading seed companies, including Monsanto and Syngenta.

"The recognition of the importance of cannabis in specific and hemp in general is growing globally, whether for a plethora of medical problem or as a valuable, renewable resource with many eco-friendly uses," Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO of NRGene. "Cannabis is being increasingly recognized as the most viable solution for many health problems, and we're gratified that we can contribute to people's well-being."

About NRGene
NRGene is a genomic, big data company delivering cutting-edge software and algorithms to their clients to facilitate the modern genomics-based research that is revealing the function, complexity, and diversity of human, plant, and animal genomes that supports the most advanced medical research and sophisticated breeding programs. NRGene tools have already been employed by some of the leading agribiotech companies worldwide, as well as the most influential research teams in academia. www.nrgene.com. Follow us: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook

About Pure Holding AG 

Pure Cannabis Research is one of four subsidiaries of Pure Holding. Pure Holding, which is located in Zug, Switzerland, contains the largest CBD-cannabis infrastructure in Switzerland. Pure Production AG, was the first subsidiary under Pure Holding, and produces indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse grown CBD-cannabis on a total area larger than 23'000 m². A second Pure Holdings subsidiary, DEOM AG, has the largest indoor growth space in Europe, with over 5'000 m² of indoor growth space capacity for CBD-cannabis. At both facilities production is held to the highest quality standards, which guarantees the best possible products for the clients. Pure Europe Sarl., located in Luxembourg, is in charge of the distribution of products produced by Pure Holding to the European market.

About Pure Cannabis Research AG 

Pure Cannabis Research is a breeding company specialized in creating the highest quality cannabis genetics. Our company produces a portfolio of proprietary traits, strains, and varieties to meet the demand of the dynamic cannabis marketplace. Beyond our catalog we offer custom genetics where we tailor varieties to meet our clients desired needs and specifications. It is the first company worldwide to apply the full set of state-of-the-art, non-GMO, breeding technologies to cannabis. Pure Cannabis Research speed-breeding approach allows for the assembly of cannabis' suite of complex traits in a multitude of different combinations. This targeted breeding approach reduces the random effects of traditional breeding. Therefore, Pure Cannabis Research can produce proprietary genetics rapidly and predictably. As a pioneer in developing modern cannabis genetics, Pure Cannabis Research is constructing an unprecedented intellectual property portfolio. Pure Cannabis Research maintains its role as a global industry leader by leveraging our partnerships with NRGene and ETH Zürich.

Media contact
Amy Kenigsberg
K2 Global Communications
amy@k2-gc.com
+972-9-794-1681 (+2 GMT)
+1-913-440-4072 (+7 ET)

Pure Cannabis Research AG, contact
Yannik Schlup, CBO
schlup@pureeurope.eu