Genective Expands Lab Space, Opens Phase 2 Champaign Headquarters

Less than three years after its initial opening, agtech company Genective celebrated its Phase 2 expansion at Research Park with a celebration, tours and open house on Aug. 24.

The company has increased its lab space by 30 percent to continue its focus on the research, development, and commercialization of transgenic traits, focusing on insect resistant corn.

In his remarks recognizing Genective’s latest milestone, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones reflected on how the company contributes to the growth of the Research Park ecosystem, as the university seeks to double the size of UIRP.

“I can tell you that Genective’s presence is a big part of the achievement of that strategic goal,” said Jones.

A joint venture between leading European seed companies KWS Group and LIMAGRAIN, Genective moved its global headquarters to Champaign from Paris, France in 2019.

The company celebrated its grand opening in March 2020, days before COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. Yet that was no hindrance. Under Qiaoni “Linda” Jing‘s leadership, the company has quadrupled in size, recruiting scientists and crop experts locally and from around the country.

“Only if you are successful do you justify further investment from your stakeholders. …It was obviously a great decision to move here,” said bogegeard member Thomas Ehrhardt, of KWS Group.