The startup develops RNA-based insecticides that specifically target pest insects while minimizing harm to beneficial species, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. This technology enables farmers to protect their crops effectively without contributing to chemical runoff or pesticide resistance.
Funding
$6.4M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Traditional chemical pesticides face increasing challenges due to rapid insect resistance, off-target effects on beneficial species, and environmental concerns related to chemical runoff. Farmers and consumers are seeking more sustainable and environmentally friendly crop protection solutions.
Solution
RNAissance Ag develops RNA interference (RNAi)-based biopesticides that offer a highly specific and sustainable alternative to conventional insecticides. Their technology leverages the natural RNAi pathway within target insects to disrupt essential gene expression, leading to mortality without harming beneficial insects, animals, or people. The company's innovative RNAi designs and manufacturing processes enhance the efficacy of RNAi-based pesticides, particularly against challenging pests like Lepidoptera (e.g., diamondback moth). RNAissance Ag's products can be deployed as sprayable formulations or as GMO traits in crop seeds, providing versatile pest control options.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes farmers seeking sustainable and effective pest control solutions, as well as companies interested in licensing RNAi technology for transgenic traits or novel pesticide formulations.
Features
- RNAi-based pesticides with a novel mode of action targeting specific insect genes
- Highly specific to target pests, minimizing impact on beneficial insects (bees, butterflies) and other organisms
- Biodegradable and environmentally friendly, reducing chemical runoff and environmental impact
- Effective against a broad range of agricultural pests, including Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Arachnids
- Proprietary RNAi designs that improve efficacy against Lepidopteran insect pests
- Can be deployed as sprayable formulations for direct application
- Can be incorporated as GMO traits in crop seeds for continuous protection
- Proprietary microbial platform for cost-effective manufacturing of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) at commercial scale