GreenLight Biosciences (GreenLight Bio) has been granted registration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several states for its groundbreaking Calantha product, designed to target and control the highly destructive Colorado potato beetle.

An industry first, the registration of Calantha, an innovative bioinsecticide based on RNA, represents an historic stride forward in diversifying options for farmers and reducing reliance on conventional chemical pesticides, which can harm both the environment and human health. Following the federal and state approvals, the company has now successfully sold and shipped its first order.

"The registration of Calantha marks not just a milestone for our company, but a quantum leap for farmers, our food system and security, and people," said Andrey Zarur, Chief Executive Officer, GreenLight Bio. "This is a new day for farmers seeking to balance pest management with biodiversity protection and environmental health. Calantha embodies the promise of such a future, along with the dozens of other innovations in our product pipeline. We are thrilled to witness the impending impact of this commercial chapter of our company in creating a more sustainable future."

Calantha offers growers an additional cost-effective option to address the impacts of the mounting chemical pesticide resistance problem.

"Potato growers have expressed their struggle in managing the Colorado potato beetle due to increasing resistance to currently available chemical products. They want effective products that align with their sustainability targets. Calantha is the perfect fit," said Mark Singleton, Chief Commercial Officer and General Manager of Plant Health. "I commend our team's tenacity in bringing this product to market and eagerly anticipate the future milestones we will achieve."

Calantha is the first GreenLight Bio product to complete U.S. regulatory review and receive regulatory approval. It is also under review by regulators in other key markets around the world. The company's next solution targets control of Varroa mites, a devastating pest of honeybees, and was submitted to the EPA for regulatory review in early 2023. GreenLight Bio's breakthrough platform, capable of economically producing dsRNA, fuels its robust pipeline of additional innovative insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.