GreenLight Biosciences raises $102 million to expand production of RNA products for Agri and life sciences applications

With a renewed focus to bring sustainable biopesticides and a COVID-19 vaccine to market, US-based agtech and life sciences firm GreenLight Biosciences has raised $102 million in Series D funding which would accelerate its efforts in expanding the production of its RNA products.

The round was led by Chinese investment firm Morningside Ventures. Other participants include:
• S2G Ventures
• Baird Venture Partners
• MLS Capital Fund II
• Lewis and Clark AgriFood
• Lupa Systems
• Coromorant Asset Management
• Continental Grain Company
• Fall Line Capital
• Tao Capital Partners

The cutting-edge manufacturing technology of GreenLight Biosciences can address the problems in RNA supply in both agriculture as well as human health, Jason Dinges of Morningside Ventures said.

“RNA-based products represent an opportunity for innovation in both human therapeutics as well as safe, environmentally friendly crop protection, and we are excited to partner with GreenLight’s expert team to deliver them at scale to patients and farmers alike,” Dinges added.

“We are honoured to draw the support of this notable group of new and existing investors as we drive forward our dual mission to make food production more robust and environmentally respectful, and our health solutions applicable to every member of the human race,” Andrey Zarur, GreenLight’s co-founder and CEO, said.

It is worth noting that the tech firm’s flagship product is an RNA-based product that targets harmful pests by modifying their gene expressions and weakening them naturally. However, the basis of that technology can also apply to life sciences.

To recap, GreenLight is also developing a large-scale vaccine platform in order to target seasonal and pandemic influenzas as well as emerging viruses.