Ghent (Belgium), 21 January 2026 – Protealis, the European specialist in non-GMO legume seeds and seed technologies, today announced a strategic collaboration with the University of Guelph, Ontario (Canada), granting Protealis global rights to test, select and commercialize soybean varieties from Guelph’s breeding program. The agreement adds later-maturity soybean genetics and additional food-grade quality to Protealis’ rapidly growing soybean portfolio, complementing its existing range of early-maturing European varieties.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Protealis will have exclusive access to test and commercialize selected soybean genetics, supporting the expansion of its breeding portfolio beyond early-maturing varieties (00 to 0000) to include soybeans adapted to warmer European growing zones.

“This collaboration with the University of Guelph marks an exciting milestone for Protealis. Combining their globally valued soybean genetics with our expertise in European breeding and seed technologies allows us to expand our geographical reach to additional climatic zones across Europe, and match the needs of both farmers and the growing food market in Europe for high-yield, high-protein, non-GMO soy.”  explains Benjamin Laga, CEO of Protealis. 

David Buckeridge, chairman of the Board of Directors of Protealis, added: “The University of Guelph is one of Canada’s leading research institutions with decades of excellence in soybean breeding. This collaboration puts Protealis on a fast track to build one of Europe’s most complete pipelines of climate-adapted soybean varieties.”

The University of Guelph is known for having the Canada’s largest concentration of plant scientists, extensive research infrastructure and decades of excellence in soybean breeding. Its genetics are widely recognized for reliability and quality. Canada itself is a long-established soybean powerhouse, producing around 7.6 million metric tonnes of soybeans annually[1] and ranking among the world’s notable soybean producers with decades of breeding expertise.

Dr. Istvan Rajcan, Ph.D., Professor Soybean Breeding & Genetics at the Department of Plant Agriculture of the University of Guelph, reacted: “Protealis brings extensive expertise in adapting soybean genetics to European growing conditions, combined with innovative work in seed inoculation and legume breeding. This collaboration allows us to align complementary strengths and support the development of non-GMO soybean varieties that meet the agronomic, quality, and maturity requirements of European growing regions.”

Europe imports over 34 million tonnes of soy annually, largely from Brazil, Argentina and the US. The growing food and feed markets—combined with rising import costs—underscore the need for high-performance, soy varieties produced locally.

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More information:
Renate Degrave
Head of Communications and Marketing Protealis
renate.degrave@protealis.com | +32 471 53 60 64

 

About Protealis

Protealis develops superior plant protein seeds and seed technologies, optimized for the European soil and climate. Being at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, Protealis aims to empower European farmers with sustainable and resilient alternatives to traditional protein sources by developing legume seed solutions with enhanced crop yield and protein levels, while at the same time minimizing the ecological footprint. By addressing the growing demand for more plant-based protein sources, the company is committed to contribute to more sustainable food systems. Today, Protealis operates as a commercial-stage company with nine early-maturity soybean varieties currently on the market and registered in Belgium, France, Germany, and Ukraine. Ukraine represents a significant growth market, with soybean acreage projected to reach 2.3–2.4 million hectares and production forecast at 5.7–5.8 million tons in 2025 (Donau Soja, 2025). In parallel, the company is rapidly advancing its yellow pea breeding program within its development pipeline. The company is headquartered in the biotechnology cluster in Ghent, Belgium. More info on www.protealis.com, LinkedIn or facebook.

 

About The University of Guelph

The University of Guelph (U of G) is one of Canada’s top comprehensive and research-intensive universities. Established in 1964, the University enjoys a reputation for innovation and excellence dating back more than 150 years to its founding colleges: Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Agricultural College (already founded in 1874) and Macdonald Institute. Today, the University’s eight colleges conduct cutting-edge teaching and research across a range of disciplines in the physical and life sciences, business, arts, social sciences, and agricultural and veterinary sciences. The University of Guelph has deep roots in agricultural science and a long-standing plant breeding tradition, including decades of soybean breeding and varietal development. More on https://www.uoguelph.ca/.

 

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