Plant genetic research and development firm FuturaGene has been granted a second cell wall modification patent in Japan.
This augments the Japanese patent issued in April 2009 and covers additional proteins.
Both patents cover transgenic plants expressing cell wall modifying proteins that result in higher biomass, faster growth rate, higher cellulose content, higher amenability for digestion by ruminants, or increased resistance to heat, biodegradation or pests.
FuturaGene chief executive Dr Stanley Hirsch said: "This patent consolidates FuturaGene's global intellectual property position in the critical area of cell wall modification, which is a fundamental technology for yield enhancement in plants.
"We believe this is very significant for the sustainable industrial forestry, biofuel and biopower sectors.
"The fact that Japan is home to some of the world's largest pulp and paper producers further underlines the importance of FuturaGene's patents."
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