Mexico authorizes GreenLight's RNA-based biofungicide OIFIRAX. Aug. 25, 2026 Mexico has authorized what GreenLight Biosciences describes as the world's first commercially registered RNA-based biofungicide, marking a significant development in the use of RNA technology for the management of agricultural diseases. The product, OIFIRAX, was authorized by Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) for the control of grape powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator. The disease, also known as powdery mildew, affects leaves, shoots and fruit and can reduce photosynthesis, the quality of grapes and vineyard yields when left unmanaged. The registration was evaluated jointly by COFEPRIS, Mexico's National Service for Agro-Alimentary Public Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). According to information released during the authorization announcement, the complete regulatory dossier was approved in approximately nine months. GreenLight said the registration follows more than 10 years of research and testing conducted in Mexico and other countries. RNA technology targets fungal pathogen OIFIRAX is based upon double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules designed to temporarily block an essential gene involved in the development of the target fungus. The technology is based upon a sequence-specific mechanism intended to interfere with the pathogen, while leaving the plant's normal biological processes unaffected. OIFIRAX does not modify the DNA of the crop and therefore does not make the plant a genetically modified organism. The selectivity of the approach is one of the technology's main potential advantages. By targeting a specific genetic sequence, RNA-based crop protection products can potentially reduce exposure to non-target organisms, including bees, butterflies and beneficial soil microorganisms. The RNA molecules also degrade naturally through enzymes, radiation and processes occurring in soil and water, potentially reducing the risk of environmental accumulation, compared with some conventional pesticides. However, the technology is expected to be used as part of an integrated disease-management program, rather than as a stand-alone solution. Growers will need to follow the authorized label, including application rates, intervals and registered crops. Resistance management remains important Despite the selectivity of the technology, RNA-based disease control will still require monitoring for the development of resistance. Repeated use of a product targeting the same essential gene could create selection pressure on fungal populations, potentially favoring individuals with genetic variations that reduce sensitivity to the treatment. Researchers will also need to continue evaluating the degree of genetic similarity between the targeted sequence and genes occurring in non-target organisms. The commercial deployment of OIFIRAX will therefore provide an important opportunity to generate additional field data on the agronomic and environmental performance of RNA-based fungicides at commercial scale. The registration should also be distinguished from the broader development of RNA-based pesticides. RNA technology had already reached the commercial pesticide market through insect-control products, including Calantha, registered in the United States against the Colorado potato beetle. OIFIRAX represents a different application, with an RNA-based product targeting a fungal pathogen. Investment opportunity in Mexico Beyond its regulatory significance, the authorization could create a new manufacturing and investment platform for RNA-based agricultural technologies in Mexico. GreenLight Biosciences plans to invest between US$50 million and US$100 million in a production facility in Mexico City. GreenLight expects the project to create more than 500 specialized jobs. Additionally, the investment could strengthen Mexico's position in the emerging RNA crop-protection sector while providing GreenLight with local production capacity for a technology that is moving from research and regulatory development toward commercial distribution. The authorization comes as agricultural input companies increasingly explore biological and precision-based alternatives to conventional crop protection. RNA-based products are attracting attention because their mechanism can be designed around specific genetic sequences, potentially enabling a level of target specificity that is difficult to achieve with broad-spectrum chemistries. For the agricultural industry, however, OIFIRAX remains an emerging technology. Its long-term performance, resistance profile and environmental behavior will need to be assessed as its commercial use expands. The Mexican registration nonetheless establishes an important regulatory precedent: for the first time, an RNA-based fungicide has moved beyond experimental development into commercial crop protection, opening a new chapter in the evolution of biological and precision agricultural technologies. (Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

GreenLight Biosciences registers Oifirax, the first RNA-based fungicide, in Brazil. Jun. 22, 2026 GreenLight Biosciences is positioning Brazil as the strategic launchpad for Oifirax (ES-43), the world's first topical RNA-based fungicide. The move underscores a broader shift in the crop protection industry to focus on highly targeted, residue-free biological solutions capable of matching the efficacy of traditional chemistry. The regulatory pathway for Oifirax gained significant momentum following the publication of Act No. 62 by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA), which officially included the RNAi bio-input on its priority review list. "This inclusion is a highly positive breakthrough," according to Juliana Di Risio Pelegrino, Regulatory Affairs Manager at GreenLight. "It demonstrates alignment with MAPA to bring cutting-edge innovation and sustainability to the field. We are in constant contact with authorities to ensure approval within the shortest possible timeframe." This regulatory push follows a recent $25 million financial injection from Just Climate, an investment firm linked to Generation Investment Management, founded by Al Gore (former US president). The capital is fueling GreenLight's expansion in Brazil, which will serve as the company's global operational hub for at least the next 40 months. Disrupting Viticulture GreenLight is initially targeting the viticulture sector, where powdery mildew - caused by the fungus Uncinula necator - remains a persistent threat throughout Brazil's 75,000 hectares of vineyards. The disease impacts everything from the table grape clusters of the São Francisco Valley to the wine-producing regions of Rio Grande do Sul. According to GreenLight CEO Matheus Zarur, the choice of grapes as the entry market is highly tactical. For table grapes undergo minimal processing, making stringent residue control paramount for exporters. Meanwhile, in industrial wine production, traditional chemical residues risk interfering with sensitive fermentation processes. Field trials conducted across diverse Brazilian microclimates, including the semi-arid São Francisco Valley, demonstrate that Oifirax delivers control levels equal or superior to conventional chemical fungicides, even at reduced dosages. Beyond grapes, GreenLight plans to expand the label to other high-value crops susceptible to the fungus, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, coffee, and cocoa. The RNAi Mechanism Oifirax utilizes RNA interference (RNAi) technology to silence specific, essential genes within the target fungal cells, halting reproduction. Despite its biotech origins, the product is not classified as a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), as it does not alter the genetic code of the crop or surrounding organisms. | Feature | Oifirax (RNAi Technology) | Traditional Chemical Pesticides | | Mode of Action | Intracellular gene silencing | Broad-spectrum chemical toxicity | | Environmental Stability | Degrades completely within days | Potential for long-term soil/water persistence | | Non-Target Toxicity | Zero impact on pollinators (bees/ladybugs) | Variable risk to beneficial insects | | Residue Profile | Undetectable at harvest | Subject to strict Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) | Production of the double-stranded RNA is driven by GreenLight's proprietary cell-free manufacturing platform. This commercial-scale process synthesizes RNA rapidly and cost-effectively, overcoming the historical cost barriers that previously restricted RNAi applications to human therapeutics. A Regional Export Hub While initial manufacturing of the technical active ingredient will occur in the United States, GreenLight intends to transfer production to Brazil in the future. The company's commercial footprint in the country is already anchored by Fortivance, an insecticide adjuvant currently applied across approximately 1 million hectares of Brazilian corn, soybeans, citrus, and cocoa. Brazil currently accounts for roughly 80% of Fortivance's global sales. Looking forward, GreenLight plans to transform its Brazilian structure into a regional export platform, leveraging its local technical and commercial teams to expand into neighboring Chile and Argentina. Regulatory submissions are also underway in the European Union, targeting premier wine-growing regions in Italy, Spain, and southern France. (Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)