Cambridge Ag Company Picks Purdue Research Park

Phytoption is based at the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette.

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A Boston-based seed development and plant breeding company is expanding into the Purdue Research Park. Inari will open what it calls the world’s first Seed Foundry at the complex. The company says the work done there can help "revolutionize the seed industry" and create a more resilient and sustainable food system. Inari Senior Vice President of Operations Mark Stowers says the 26,000 square-foot facility will ultimately house about 50 people, but adds there is plenty of room for growth.

The company says its system uses the natural genetic diversity in plants to equip crops to be more resilient to climate change and environmentally-sustainable. Inari says the new location near seed industry leaders and the Purdue College of Agriculture gives the company access to "the naturally rich building blocks of agriculture."

"We are excited to see a Boston-area startup that undertook a national search to find the best place to break new ground in agribusiness decided being near Purdue was the ideal location. With joint goals to advance agriculture and provide sustainable food products for people around the world, Inari and Purdue are a natural fit, said Purdue University President Mitch Daniels in a release. "Purdue and Inari can change crop development for the better, making it more diverse and help address the world’s nutrition and health challenges for decades to come."

Stowers tells Inside INdiana Business that the company is excited to partner with Purdue in areas ranging from part-time student work to sponsored research with faculty.

Inari believes work done at the Seed Foundry can push its system toward the company’s goals of cutting breeding time by two-thirds and cutting development costs by up to 90 percent. You can see more about Inari and the Seed Foundry by clicking here.