AgReliant Genetics Receives USDA Biotechnology Quality Management System Recognition

WESTFIELD, Ind., – October 15, 2012

AgReliant Genetics is pleased to announce that the USDA’s Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) has recognized the voluntary establishment of its Biotechnology Quality Management System (BQMS). AgReliant successfully completed BQMS training sessions, followed by a baseline assessment, an internal audit, and an external audit during which a trained, qualified third-party auditor validated its BQMS.

According to Jim Shearl, Director of Quality Assurance for AgReliant Genetics, the development and implementation of this system took nearly a year of work from the research and quality assurance teams. This system of analyzing control points assists in maintaining compliance with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations in place for handling genetically engineered organisms. The intent is to assure that there are no escapes of the regulated genes outside the controlled breeding system.

Tom Koch, AgReliant Genetics’ Vice President of Research, stated that this recognition is a great benefit to the company. “We have always been confident that our conversion program conducts quality research and this system ensures that we will continue to do so.”