GreenLight RNA Biopesticides (Calantha, Norroa)

GreenLight Biosciences, Inc. is a US public benefit corporation based in Medford, Massachusetts, that develops RNA-based products for plant and animal health. Its aim is to give growers and beekeepers selective pest and disease control that breaks down quickly in soil and water instead of persistent synthetic chemistry.

The company makes double-stranded RNA with a proprietary cell-free process at a 17,000 sq ft plant in Rochester, New York, with 500 kg per year of installed capacity and room for 1,000 kg. Products work through RNA interference against a specific target. Calantha is a foliar bio-insecticide for Colorado potato beetle approved by the US EPA, and Norroa uses the active ingredient vadescana against Varroa mites in honeybee hives. The pipeline covers insecticides, fungicides such as a grape powdery mildew product, and herbicides.

• Cell-free dsRNA manufacturing: proprietary process producing technical-grade RNA in hours rather than weeks.
• Calantha: EPA-approved foliar RNA bio-insecticide for Colorado potato beetle.
• Norroa: vadescana-based treatment that targets reproductive Varroa mites in honeybee colonies.
• Fungicide pipeline: grape powdery mildew product with dossiers submitted in the US, EU and Brazil in 2025.
• Herbicide research: RNA-based weed control in development.
• Partnerships: works with partners to bring RNA products to new crops and markets.

• Crop protection companies licensing or co-developing RNA actives for pests that resist current insecticides in fruit and vegetables.
• Honey producers and beekeeping cooperatives evaluating RNA-based Varroa control as registration expands.
• Research institutes partnering on dsRNA targets for local pests and diseases.

• Selective control: RNA interference targets a specific pest, sparing beneficial insects and pollinators.
• Low persistence: products break down quickly in soil and water, easing residue and environmental concerns.
• Resistance management: a new mode of action fits rotation programs where pests resist existing chemistry.
• Scalable supply: the Rochester plant has 500 kg per year of RNA capacity, with expansion to 1,000 kg ready.

RNA-based biopesticides are moving from research into registration in the US, EU and Brazil as regulators and food buyers push for lower-residue crop protection. In Vietnam and Southeast Asia, pest resistance and export residue limits on fruit and vegetables are raising demand for new biological modes of action.

Public benefit corporation headquartered at 200 Boston Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts, with an RNA plant in Rochester, New York. Entered Brazil in March 2025, closed a Series C including 25 million USD from Just Climate in 2025, launched Norroa in September 2025 and received a Belgian emergency use authorization in May 2026.