Nov 2, 2023

Bioengineering company partners with biocontrol maker

Renaissance BioScience, a leader in bioengineering microbes for the global agriculture and food industries,  has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Certis Belchim, a global leader in developing biocontrol agents that combat agricultural pests.

Under the JDA, the companies will collaboratively harness Renaissance’s innovative yeast-based RNA interference (RNAi) platform technology to develop and commercialize an environmentally friendly biopesticide against a target pest that the companies have not identified.

This revolutionary technology holds immense promise for addressing agricultural challenges through its targeted approach, according to a news release. This partnership speaks to the companies’ shared commitment to advancing eco-friendly alternatives in pest management.

“Certis Belchim is a world leader in crop protection and biocontrol innovation and technologies, and we are delighted to be working with them to develop an effective and environmentally safe yeast-based RNAi biopesticide,” John Husnik, Renaissance’s chief science officer, said in the release.

“Certis Belchim have committed and pursued innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture,” Jan Mostert, head of biorational projects at Certis Belchim, said in the release. “The Renaissance RNA interference technology is highly innovative and will deliver products which come close to the idea of an ideal plant protection product in being very specific and very effective at the same time while also reconciling the often-contradicting goals of crop protection, and protecting the environment and biodiversity.

“We believe this project could potentially contribute to reinforce our biorational platform, that is one of the strategic pillars for Certis Belchim,” Mostert said in the release. “We are enthusiastic about working closely with Renaissance, a highly skilled and agile company, on this exciting biorational technology initiative.”