Page 12 - AWA Vol.41-No.4

CroP ProtECtIoN

Greenlight Biosciences Announces Breakthrough in rNA
Herbicide Development

reenLight Biosciences(the Compa-
Gny or GreenLight Bio), a pioneering
agricultural biotechnology company, an-
nounced a significant breakthrough in its
bioherbicide development pipeline.
In greenhouse and field trials, the Com-
pany has demonstrated consistent, effec-
tive herbicidal activity. This shows that
RNA technology can control hard-to-kill
weeds and be paired with conventional
herbicides to enhance efficacy while re-
ducing overall toxicity, herbicide load
and farmer costs. This strategy enables
farmers to easily integrate an RNA so-
lution into their current weed manage-
ment practices. Over time, GreenLight
Bio aims to develop a range of stand-
alone RNA-based solutions for row crops
and specialty crops that address a wide its portfolio of agricultural solutions by the surrounding environment unharmed.
range of problematic weed species with advancing the development of its offer- The RNA molecules breakdown quickly,
precision, further reduce environmental ings from pest control into weed manage- reducing environmental persistence
burdens and alleviate resistance issues ment. It is part of GreenLight Bio's broader while maintaining efficacy and leaving no
common among conventional pesticides, mission to leverage its RNA platform for harmful residue on crops. This approach
including herbicides. agricultural innovation, including devel- offers a much-needed alternative that re-
The Company's lead product candidate oping non-GMO solutions for enhanced duces the need for chemical herbicides
is designed to control horseweed (Cony- crop heat tolerance and improved plant that persist in the environment and face
za canadensis) and was selected from a defense mechanisms. increasing regulatory and activist scru-
pipeline of over 180 possible choices cre- A new era in weed control tiny.
ated by GreenLight Bio using expertise in
biology and proprietary AI-enabled de- Herbicides are the most widely used Path to commercialization
sign tools. Horseweed is one of the most form of crop protection, with global us- Based on development progress to date,
problematic weeds in no-till agriculture, age increasing by over 44% between GreenLight Biosciences will soon begin
particularly in soy production. 2017 and 2022 .Chemical pesticide re- working on dossiers for regulatory re-
"Farmers around the world are grap- sistance is estimated to cost the U.S. ag- view with the goal of bringing products to
pling with herbicide-resistant weeds ricultural sector at least $10 billion each market around the world.
and a shrinking toolbox for effective year. Despite substantial research and GreenLight Bio’s commercially avail-
weed control," said Andrey Zarur, CEO of development investment, no new herbi- able products include CalanthaTM, which
GreenLight Biosciences. "Our RNA-based cide modes of action (MOA) have been was granted registration in late 2023 by
platform introduces a revolutionary, non- commercialized in over three decades, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
GMO approach to weed management. leaving farmers with limited options to (EPA) to target and control the highly de-
This breakthrough not only targets weeds combat resistant weeds. structive Colorado potato beetle, which
with precision but also paves the way for GreenLight Bio's RNA-based solution decimates plants in the nightshade fam-
potential solutions that can help farmers introduces a novel MOA that works with ily. The Company’s next solution targets
reduce their reliance on traditional chem- biology rather than against it. Green- control of Varroa mites, a devastating pest
ical herbicides like glyphosate." Light Bio's RNAi platform of foliar ap- of honeybees, which was submitted to
This exciting development allows plied sprays precisely targets essential EPA for regulatory review in early 2023.
GreenLight Bio to continue diversifying weed plant functions, leaving crops and Circle 11 on enquiry card
New Partnership For Distribution

And Supply of Crop Preparation tools

NH and MASCHIO GASPARDO high-quality hay and forage solutions ,
Chave announced a new coopera- as well as state-of-the-art support and
tion and licensing agreement for the service .
distribution and supply of New Holland
branded mowers, mower-conditioners, This collaboration is further empha-
tedders and rotary rakes in Europe*, sized by the new partnership, which
including the supply of spare parts and will see both companies co-define
service. future products in line with customer
The aim of this new partnership with needs, with MASCHIO GASPARDO
MASCHIO GASPARDO, which will be leading the design efforts.
responsible for the distribution and equipment, is to ensure that New Hol-
supply of these New Holland branded land customers continue to receive Circle 12 on enquiry card

10 Vol. 41 No. 4