Mexico | RNA-based biopesticides

2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers: Andrey Zarur

Andrey Zarur founded GreenLight Biosciences in 2008 to pioneer RNA-based alternatives to chemical pesticides. Under his leadership, GreenLight Bio developed revolutionary RNA interference (RNAi) technology delivering targeted, environmentally sustainable crop protection. The company’s first product, Calantha, made history as the first foliar-applied RNA-based biopesticide registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, offering farmers a tool against the Colorado potato beetle without chemical residues. Subsequent innovations expanded this approach across crops and pollinators. Zarur built a product pipeline rivaling leading agrochemical companies with multiple launches planned by 2028. He successfully bridged laboratory innovation with real-world agricultural applications, securing regulatory approvals across multiple jurisdictions and building farmer trust in a sector historically resistant to biological alternatives. His work represents a paradigm shift in agriculture—moving from broad-spectrum chemical interventions to precise, biodegradable solutions that protect crops and ecosystems while feeding and growing the global population sustainably.