UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 20, 1996
DEKALB Genetics Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-17005 36-3586793
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
3100 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, Illinois 60115
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
815-758-3461
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Item 5. Other Events - Genetic Marker Patent
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DEKALB Genetics Corporation announced on Tuesday, February 20, 1996 that it had
received a patent (#5,492,547) from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
covering prediction of yield in corn using inherited genetic markers.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
- - ------- ---------------------------------
(e) Exhibit:
--------
99.1 Press release issued by DEKALB Genetics Corporation on February
20, 1996 - DEKALB Genetics Granted Patent For Marker Technology
Used To Predict Yields Of Corn Germplasm.
SIGNATURE
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
DEKALB GENETICS CORPORATION
Date: February 22, 1996 By: Thomas R. Rauman
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Thomas R. Rauman
Vice-President Finance,
Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
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The following exhibits are filed herewith:
Exhibit Page
- - ------- ----
99.1 Press release issued by DEKALB Genetics Corporation on February
20, 1996. 4
EXHIBIT 99.1
------------
NEWS RELEASE
------------
Thomas R. Rauman
Chief Financial Officer
(815) 758-9223
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1996
DEKALB GENETICS GRANTED PATENT FOR MARKER TECHNOLOGY
----------------------------------------------------
USED TO PREDICT YIELDS OF CORN GERMPLASM
----------------------------------------
DEKALB, Illinois, February 20, 1996 -- DEKALB Genetics Corporation today said it
has received a patent (#5,492,547) from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
covering prediction of yield in corn using inherited genetic markers. Breeders
can create a molecular map or "fingerprint" of a corn plant using these methods,
correlate the marker information with yield, and then predict the yield of
progeny plants that have inherited these genetic markers. The patent covers the
use of any marker, including RFLPs (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism),
RAPDs (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA), microsatellites and other polymerase
chain reaction-based markers.
"Based on tests conducted by our researchers, we believe that DNA markers
are an exceptionally useful tool in developing superior inbred and hybrid corn
germplasm," said Bruce P. Bickner, DEKALB's chairman and chief executive
officer. "Using computer analysis, breeders can predict yield without actually
growing the plant. Only the germplasm with the highest predicted yield are then
selected for evaluation in the field. This tool significantly enhances the
ability of breeders to identify and advance superior-yielding germplasm. They
are able to screen a far greater pool of germplasm than they could ever grow in
the field.''
"We believe some companies are using markers to develop a database of their
corn inbreds for security purposes, while others are using markers to monitor
single genes', Bickner added. ``At DEKALB Genetics our focus is on high yield
- - -- a trait determined by many genes. This focus will further strengthen
DEKALB's competitive position in the seed industry."
DEKALB has announced several patents in recent weeks, including the first
product patent covering insect-resistant corn plants with a Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt) gene. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted DEKALB a
patent covering fertile, transgenic corn plants expressing Bt insecticidal
protein, which provides resistance to the European corn borer. DEKALB has also
been granted a patent on the microprojectile bombardment method of transforming
corn. This patent covers the microprojectile method for producing fertile,
transgenic corn plants containing a bar or pat gene, as well as the production
and breeding of progeny of such plants. In addition to being used as a
selectable marker, the bar or pat gene also confers resistance to the herbicide
glufosinate.
DEKALB Genetics Corporation is a worldwide leader in agricultural genetics
and biotechnology for seed and swine. Based in DeKalb, Illinois, DEKALB
Genetics Corporation Class B Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ National
Market System under the symbol SEEDB.
NOTE: DEKALB news releases are available at no charge through PR
Newswire's Company News On-Call fax service and on DEKALB's Web site. For a
menu of DEKALB's press releases or to retrieve a specific release, call 800-758-
5804, extension 262250, or http://www.dekalb.com on the Internet.
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3100 SYCAMORE ROAD, DEKALB IL 60115-9600