MS Technologies
MS Technologies is a privately held soybean trait licensing company that develops and licenses proprietary herbicide-tolerant and nematode-resistant transgenic soybean events — including Enlist E3, GT27, and LibertyLink — to over 100 seed companies and major agricultural corporations worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersWest Point, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MS Technologies does
MS Technologies, L.L.C. is a privately held agricultural biotechnology company founded in 2004 and headquartered in West Point, Iowa. The company specializes in developing and licensing proprietary soybean trait technologies — specifically herbicide-tolerant and insect/nematode-resistant transgenic events — that are integrated by seed companies into commercial soybean varieties. Its core technology portfolio centers on multi-gene herbicide tolerance stacks, most notably Enlist E3 (the industry's first three-gene stack conferring tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate, jointly developed with Corteva Agriscience), GT27 (glyphosate plus isoxaflutole/HPPD tolerance, co-developed with BASF), LibertyLink (glufosinate tolerance), and LibertyLink GT27 (the triple-stack combination). The company has also secured licensing access to BASF's Nemasphere nematode-resistance trait producing the novel Cry14 protein.
The company's business model is pure B2B trait licensing and royalty generation. MS Technologies does not sell seed directly to growers; instead, it licenses its events and stacks to seed companies and agricultural corporations for integration into their branded soybean varieties. Revenue is generated through trait licensing fees and technology access agreements with counterparties including BASF (which exclusively distributes the Xitavo brand), Corteva Agriscience (Pioneer and other brands), Syngenta (Golden Harvest, NK), Stine Seed, Merschman Seeds, and over 100 additional seed company licensees. Co-development partners such as BASF and Corteva share R&D investment and downstream economics on flagship traits like Enlist E3 and LibertyLink GT27, while Mertec LLC supplies elite soybean germplasm that underpins the company's breeding collaborations.
Commercial reach spans the United States, Canada, and Brazil, with regulatory approvals secured across USDA, FDA, EPA, Canadian authorities, the European Union, and Chinese import authorities for key traits. The company employs 11–50 people, reflecting a lean, IP-centric operating model. Growth is driven by a pipeline that includes a next-generation six-herbicide trait stack in collaboration with Syngenta (targeting 2029 commercial availability) and expansion of the Nemasphere trait into Brazilian markets through a 2025 BASF/Corteva/MS Technologies cross-licensing agreement.
MS Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MS Technologies
- Legal name
- M.S. Technologies, L.L.C.
- Website
- https://mstechseed.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MS Technologies is a privately held soybean trait licensing company that develops and licenses proprietary herbicide-tolerant and nematode-resistant transgenic soybean events — including Enlist E3, GT27, and LibertyLink — to over 100 seed companies and major agricultural corporations worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MS Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transgenic Trait Development (GM Traits) (AFABALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Seed Trait Licensing & IP Management (Licensing, freedom-to-operate) (AFABALAJ), Regulatory Science & Biosafety for Traits (Dossier, stewardship, compliance) (AFABALAI)
Keywords
Where MS Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Point
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MS Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Trait Licensing: MS Technologies licenses its proprietary soybean traits (Enlist E3, LibertyLink, GT27, LibertyLink GT27) to seed companies for integration into their soybean varieties. The company generates revenue through trait licensing fees and technology access agreements with agricultural corporations and seed breeders.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
MS Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MS Technologies develops and licenses proprietary herbicide-tolerant soybean trait technology and elite soybean germplasm to seed companies. Its portfolio includes the Enlist E3 three-gene stack (tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate), GT27 (glyphosate and HPPD tolerance), LibertyLink (glufosinate tolerance), and the combined LibertyLink GT27 triple stack, delivered through licensing arrangements with over 100 seed company partners.
Product overview
MS Technologies is a seed trait and technology company offering a portfolio of herbicide-tolerant soybean traits through collaborations with other parties. The core products include Enlist E3® (three-gene stack for 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate tolerance), GT27® (glyphosate and HPPD herbicide tolerance), LibertyLink® GT27® (triple-stacked combination), and LibertyLink® (glufosinate tolerance). Through licensing agreements, the company also offers access to BASF's Nemasphere™ nematode resistance trait. Products are distributed through multiple seed company partners including BASF (Xitavo brand), Corteva Agriscience, Stine Seed Company, and others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Xitavo: Brand of soybean seed owned by MS Technologies and exclusively distributed by BASF, featuring Enlist E3 triple-stack herbicide tolerant trait technology.
Products and services
- Enlist E3 Soybeans First-ever three-gene herbicide-tolerant soybean trait providing tolerance to new 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate herbicides. Developed jointly by MS Technologies and Corteva Agriscience (formerly Dow AgroSciences). Licensed to seed companies for integration into commercial soybean varieties.
- GT27 Soybean Performance System Soybean trait providing tolerance to glyphosate and isoxaflutole (HPPD/Group 27 herbicide), paired with elite high-yielding genetics. Collaboration with BASF; foundation trait included in LibertyLink GT27 soybeans.
- LibertyLink GT27 Soybeans Triple-stacked soybean trait combining LibertyLink and GT27 traits, providing tolerance to Liberty (glufosinate), glyphosate, and HPPD/Group 27 herbicides. First soybean trait to market enabling both Liberty and glyphosate herbicides.
- LibertyLink Soybeans Soybean trait providing tolerance to glufosinate herbicide. Commercially introduced in 2009 in collaboration with BASF. Enables over-the-top non-selective weed control with no yield lag.
- Xitavo Brand Soybean Seed with Enlist E3 Technology Soybean seed brand owned by MS Technologies and exclusively distributed by BASF, featuring Enlist E3 triple-stack herbicide tolerant trait. Available in 19 varieties covering maturity groups 0.1-4.6.
- Nemasphere Nematode Resistance Trait BASF's nematode-resistant soybean (NRS) trait producing a novel Cry14 protein for control of soybean cyst nematodes (SCN). First biotech solution to effectively control both root lesion nematodes and SCN. Licensed to MS Technologies through June 2022 agreement.
Quantifiable outcome
- Enlist E3 soybeans expected to be planted on more than 10% of U.S. and Canada soybean acres in 2020
Companies that use MS Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
MS Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MS Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- SyngentacoreSyngenta entered non-exclusive licensing agreements with Dow AgroSciences and MS Technologies for the Enlist E3 event in soybeans. Syngenta also announced a new collaboration with MS Technologies in August 2025 for a next-generation soybean herbicide tolerance trait stack, with commercial availability expected in 2029. Syngenta will release varieties through Golden Harvest and NK Seed brands.
- Latham Hi-Tech SeedssecondaryLicensee for next-generation soybean herbicide tolerance technology from MS Technologies.
- Peterson GeneticssecondaryLicensee for next-generation soybean herbicide tolerance technology from MS Technologies.
- BASFcoreBASF and MS Technologies have a long-standing collaboration dating back to 2007 for developing and commercializing LibertyLink soybeans. The partnership has evolved to include GT27 soybeans, LibertyLink GT27, and the nematode-resistant soybean (NRS) trait. BASF distributes Xitavo brand soybeans and licenses MS Technologies traits. In 2022, the companies received a Crop Science Award for Best Industry Collaboration.
- Corteva AgrisciencecoreIn August 2025, BASF, Corteva Agriscience, and MS Technologies announced a trait licensing agreement to introduce BASF's nematode-resistant soybean (NRS) trait combined with Enlist E3 and Conkesta E3 soybeans to Brazilian farmers. Corteva and MS Technologies licensed Enlist E3 to BASF for use with the NRS trait.
- Stine Seed CompanycoreStine Seed Company is a key licensee and distribution partner for MS Technologies soybean varieties including Enlist E3 and GT27 traits. Stine offers MS Technologies soybean genetics through its seed brand.
- Merschman SeedssecondaryMerschman Seeds is a licensee for Enlist E3 soybeans, offering MS Technologies soybean genetics to growers.
- Mertec LLCcoreCollaboration with Dow AgroSciences (now Corteva) to bring new soybean technologies to U.S. soybean growers, combining proprietary technologies with Mertec's soybean germplasm for the 2013 launch of HT2 trait (2,4-D tolerance).
- Corteva Agriscience (formerly Dow AgroSciences)coreCorteva Agriscience and MS Technologies jointly developed Enlist E3 soybeans, the industry's first three-gene herbicide-tolerant soybean. The transgenic soybean event is jointly developed and owned by Dow AgroSciences LLC and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. Corteva distributes Enlist E3 through its seed brands including Pioneer.
- Mertec LLCcoreMertec LLC, based in West Point, Iowa, is a leading breeder and developer of soybean germplasm for the seed trade. Mertec contributes high-yielding elite germplasm to MS Technologies trait development collaborations with BASF and others.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MS Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Customer concentration
MS Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceMS Technologies compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
MS Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MS Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
MS Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MS Technologies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MS Technologies
What does MS Technologies do?
MS Technologies develops and licenses proprietary herbicide-tolerant soybean trait technology and elite soybean germplasm to seed companies. Its portfolio includes the Enlist E3 three-gene stack (tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate), GT27 (glyphosate and HPPD tolerance), LibertyLink (glufosinate tolerance), and the combined LibertyLink GT27 triple stack, delivered through licensing arrangements with over 100 seed company partners.
Is MS Technologies a public or private company?
MS Technologies is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MS Technologies founded?
MS Technologies was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MS Technologies based?
MS Technologies is headquartered in West Point, United States, in the North America region.
How does MS Technologies make money?
One revenue line is on record: trait Licensing.
Does MS Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for MS Technologies.
What industry is MS Technologies in?
MS Technologies's product category is Agricultural Biotechnology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABALAA, Transgenic Trait Development (GM Traits), with a secondary code of AFABALAJ, Seed Trait Licensing & IP Management (Licensing, freedom-to-operate). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 700.