Global poultry genetics company, Groupe Grimaud, is set to enter the layer market by the creation of a new breeding company.

Based in Brittany, France, Novogen, aims to offer competitive layer breeds for the production of brown, white and tinted eggs for both cage and alternative systems, such as free range and organic.

Under the general management of Mickael Le Helloco, the company will focus on genetic selection, the core business of Groupe Grimaud, and the worldwide distribution of high-quality layer grandparent stock and parent stock.

The Group believes the creation of Novogen fits logically into its strategy for growth and expansion of the firm's multi-species product range and will solidify its position in the genetics marketplace.

Group Grimaud is currently involved in pig, broiler, duck and geese genetics through its three subsideries: Hubbard, Newsham Choice Genetics and Grimaud Freres Selection. With an estimated turnover for 2008 of €200m (over £160m) and operating in over 100 countries claims to be the second largest multi-species animal genetics group in the world.