So claims GreenLight Biosciences, which has announced a ‘significant’ breakthrough in its bioherbicide development pipeline.
The biotechnology company that focuses on developing and commercialisng RNA-based solutions for agriculture said it has has demonstrated consistent, effective herbicidal activity. The pairing strategy enables farmers to easily integrate an RNA solution into their current weed management practices, it added.
RNA-based technologies are emerging as powerful, targeted, and environmentally friendly tools for crop protection and agricultural innovation. These solutions primarily leverage RNA interference (RNAi), a natural biological process that silences specific genes in pests, pathogens, or even plants themselves.
Over time, GreenLight Bio aims to develop a range of standalone RNA-based solutions for row crops and specialty crops that address a wide range of problematic weed species with precision, further reduce environmental burdens and alleviate resistance issues common among conventional pesticides, including herbicides.
The company’s lead product candidate is designed to control horseweed (Conyza canadensis) and was selected from a pipeline of over 180 possible choices created by GreenLight Bio using expertise in biology and proprietary AI-enabled design tools.
Horseweed is one of the most problematic weeds in no-till agriculture, particularly in soy production.
Herbicides are the most widely used form of crop protection, with global usage increasing by over 44% between 2017 and 2022 .Chemical pesticide resistance is estimated to cost the U.S. agricultural sector at least $10 billion each year. Despite substantial research and development investment, no new herbicide modes of action (MOA) have been commercialized in over three decades, leaving farmers with limited options to combat resistant weeds.
“Farmers around the world are grappling with herbicide-resistant weeds and a shrinking toolbox for effective weed control,” said Andrey Zarur, CEO of GreenLight Biosciences. “Our RNA-based platform introduces, non-GMO approach to weed management. This breakthrough not only targets weeds with precision but also paves the way for potential solutions that can help farmers reduce their reliance on traditional chemical herbicides like glyphosate.”
GreenLight Bio’s RNAi platform of foliar applied sprays precisely targets essential weed plant functions, leaving crops and the surrounding environment unharmed. The RNA molecules breakdown quickly, reducing environmental persistence while maintaining efficacy and leaving no harmful residue on crops.
The company believes this approach offers a much-needed alternative that reduces the need for chemical herbicides that persist in the environment and face increasing regulatory and activist scrutiny.
GreenLight Biosciences will soon begin working on dossiers for regulatory review with the goal of bringing products to market around the world.
