Mars, the global candy maker, has partnered with biotech company Pairwise to develop more resilient cocoa using CRISPR-based gene editing technology. The goal is to create cacao plants that can better withstand disease, heat, and other climate-related stresses, which could impact the global chocolate supply.
The partnership gives Mars access to Pairwise’s Fulcrum platform, a library of plant traits, allowing the company to tailor its crops for stronger and more sustainable growth. CRISPR technology enables fast and precise changes to DNA, making it an attractive tool for improving crop traits such as drought and disease resistance.
This move follows recent investments by other major companies in climate-resilient agriculture. In October, Starbucks invested $1 million in two innovation farms in Central America to develop climate-resilient coffee and test new technologies. Gene editing allows for faster and more precise trait development than traditional breeding methods, according to Pairwise.
The partnership highlights the growing potential of CRISPR technology in agriculture, which has garnered attention in recent years for its applications in healthcare. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease in 2023.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/candy-giant-mars-partners-with-biotech-firm-to-gene-edit-cocoa-supply.html