Press release content from Business Wire. The AP news staff was not involved in its creation. Mapping Key DNA Markers for the Autoflower Trait to Accelerate Breeding Elite Hemp and Cannabis Varieties February 10, 2021 GMT NESS ZIONA, Israel & HOLLISTER, Calif--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 10, 2021-- NRGene (TASE: NRGN), a leading genomics AI company and Kayagene, a pioneer in hemp and cannabis breeding, are pleased to announce the completion of a milestone in their strategic research collaboration. ADVERTISEMENT This ongoing collaboration was initiated over 2 years ago, beginning with genomic assembly of several of Kayagene’s cannabis and hemp breeding lines, using NRGene’s DenovoMAGIC™ technology. Now, the companies have successfully mapped several key genes including the autoflowering gene, which is a highly desired trait and of great interest for the hemp and cannabis industries. NRGene estimates, that following the development of DNA markers for the autoflowering trait, it is now possible to integrate this trait into any hemp and cannabis variety within 12 to 18 months.