Divergence

About Divergence

Divergence, Inc. was a biotechnology firm established in 1999 by James McCarter, who leveraged his expertise in genomics to address parasitic diseases. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the company was a privately-held research and development entity operating at the intersection of life sciences, healthcare, and agriculture.

The company's primary mission was to apply genomics and informatics to discover and create effective, ecologically sound products for controlling parasites, with an initial sharp focus on parasitic nematodes. These roundworms represent a significant global pest, causing billions of dollars in annual crop losses to agricultural staples like corn, soy, and cotton, and are also responsible for widespread diseases in humans and animals. Divergence's work centered on developing biotechnology traits for nematode control in plants and creating nematicides with new modes of action and superior safety profiles. Their business model involved intensive research and development, forming strategic alliances, and developing intellectual property.

A significant milestone in the company's history was the formation of a collaborative relationship with Monsanto in August 2004. This partnership was geared towards developing nematode-resistant soybeans. The collaboration proved fruitful, leading to the joint public release of the soybean cyst nematode genome sequence in 2008. By February 2009, Divergence had successfully raised $11.8 million in a third funding round. Ultimately, the successful partnership culminated in Monsanto acquiring Divergence in February 2011, integrating Divergence's promising pipeline and experienced team to bolster its agricultural product offerings.