April 9, 2018

Right on the heels of announcing a $100 million tech collaboration with CRISPR startup Plantwise, Monsanto has entered into a research deal with St. Louis-based startup RNAgri, whose RNA interference (RNAi) technology can result in decreased production of a protein to achieve a desirable physiological outcome or trait. RNAgri’s system produces RNA, which can be used to regulate targeted genes in plants, insects, and fungi with effectiveness and specificity. RANAgri will allow Monsanto to use RNAgri’s proprietary RNA production technology to produce RNA for research and development of RNA interference applications for agriculture and bee health. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We hope to leverage RNAgri’s production technology to provide cost-effective RNA that can further enhance our research and development of products that hold great promise to help our customers produce bountiful harvests with an even more sustainable environmental footprint,” said Jeremy Williams, Monsanto’s vice resident of biotechnology and ag productivity innovations. “Monsanto is also encouraged to see breakthrough innovations coming from the St. Louis startup community.”

Suppressing Genes in Plants Without Altering DNA

RNA interference is a natural phenomenon found in animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms. It occurs when small stretches of RNA inhibit gene expression mainly by interfering with the function of “messenger RNA”. The RNA can be applied topically to the plant, allowing for GMO-like outcomes, including drought and insect resistance, without altering the plant’s DNA.

RANAgri’s technology addresses the two primary concerns regarding RNAi applications, the first being cost. The RNA is applied using a spray that is applied directly to plants. The plant is tricked into believing it has a virus, which then causes the targeted gene’s DNA to be shut off, suppressing its expression. RNA has been prohibitively expensive to produce, but RNAgri’s process cuts costs significantly. The company also claims to have solved the issue of plants developing a natural resistance to the RNA.

BioGenerator, the investment arm of BioSTL, is the lead investor in RNAgri with nearly $800,000 invested. The company is a tenant of the BioGenerator Labs. The Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), Helix Fund and Yield Lab also have invested in RNAgri.

By David Nitchman, GAI Media