Evogene Ltd., a leading Israeli biotech company specializing in crop productivity and economics for the food, feed and biofuel industries, plans to build a research and development facility in the Bio- Research and Development Growth (BRDG) Park on the campus of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Creve Coeur. 

The $10 million, 6,000 square-foot facility will feature state-of-the-art laboratories and insect rearing rooms. It is projected to be fully operational by the end of 2015.

“Our choice to locate at BRDG Park on the Danforth Center campus, a world leader in plant science research, is one we are very proud of as we join this innovative community,” said Ofer Haviv, Evogene president and CEO. “Being a company that is committed to the improvement of crop productivity, we share the Danforth Center’s belief that plants hold the key to discoveries and products that will enrich and restore both the environment and the lives of people around the globe.”

James Presnail, a former senior manager at Dupont Pioneer in Johnston, Iowa, will oversee Evogene’s insect control research and development activities at the new facility.