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)

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