GreenLight Biosciences raises $102M to bring sustainable biopesticides and a COVID-19 vaccine to market

GreenLight Biosciences, a growing agtech and life sciences company, has raised $102 million round of funding from Morningside Ventures, S2G Ventures, Cormorant Asset Management, Continental Grain Company, Fall Line Capital, Tao Capital Partners, Baird Capital, MLS Capital Fund II, Lewis and Clark AgriFood, and Lupa Systems.

The funding is expected to rapidly expand production of its RNA products for agricultural and life sciences applications. Its pipeline of RNA-based agricultural products will help farmers create greener, cleaner crops by precisely targeting a specific pest with non-toxic biocontrols, and without harming beneficial insects or leaving residues in the soil or water.

GreenLight, formed in 2008, develops sustainable solutions to address some of the biggest issues facing our planet today, from public health crises to environmentally-friendly food production for a growing population. The new funding comes a month after the biotechnology company received a $17 million special purpose round to accelerate large-scale manufacturing of future COVID-19 vaccines using the company’s proprietary messenger RNA production technology.

“GreenLight was born from a passion to make our world more sustainable and more equitable. We are honored 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.”

Dr. Andrey Zarur, CEO, GreenLight Biosciences

GreenLight’s breakthrough comes from cracking the code for rapid and affordable RNA production at scale. GreenLight plans to file paperwork with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency later this year, which would enable a commercial launch of its biopesticide in 2022.