January 9, 2019

GreenLight Biosciences, a bio-performance developer of RNA solutions for use in agricultural and pharmaceutical applications, has raised $50 million through its latest funding round, led by S2G Ventures.

Additional investors participating in the oversubscribed round include Baird Capital, Blue I/O, Continental Grain Company, Tao Capital Partners, Alexandria Ventures Investments, and the majority of existing GreenLight investors.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and with R&D facilities in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and St. Louis, Missouri, GreenLight has developed a novel, low-cost, cell-free production platform for the production of RNA, one of the basic components of life. Led by co-founder and CEO Andrey Zarur, GreenLight develops RNA products and works with industry leaders to provide solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Through controlling the biology of RNA, there is the ability to modulate biological processes, and when applied within agriculture, can lead to advances in crop management, plant protection, and pest control via a process called RNA interference (RNAi).

“Baird Capital is thrilled to be part of this terrific syndicate and back a talented and experienced management team,” said Mike Liang, partner, Baird Capital. “We do not often see platforms that have the potential to revolutionize an industry, much less, multiple ones.”

Used as a tool, RNAi can suppress or silence select genes, expression of that gene can be disrupted resulting in either the death of a pest, or a reduction of virulence, such as the lack of wing development in targeted insects. It can also be used to block herbicide resistance development in weeds without harming the environment.

“We at S2G remain impressed with the platform that Andrey Zarur, GreenLight co-founder/CEO, and the GreenLight team are building, and the rapid pace of its development over the past year,” said Matthew Walker, managing director at S2G Ventures.

“We’re now at a price point and purity level that opens up a host of markets and applications to an RNA-based solution that was previously limited to the highest-value human therapeutic markets. The GreenLight technology and products have the potential to bring about a new modality in human, animal and plant health, providing highly effective, targeted solutions that compete with or outperform traditional chemical treatments in terms of cost, efficacy, and off-target impacts.”

The funding from this round will be used by GreenLight to advance the discovery and development of a wide range of bio-performance products including agricultural bio-control products, human and animal vaccines, and therapeutics; and to continue its work in partnership with leading corporations and academic institutions for the collaborative building of a portfolio of bio-performance products for both plant and life sciences.

“We are very excited about the opportunities that will result from this funding round,” said Dr. Zarur. “Our mission is to accelerate the creation and development of RNA solutions that perform at a level that is equal to or exceeds current plant and life science solutions – naturally.”

-Lynda Kiernan