US-based bioprocessing technology developer GreenLight Biosciences closed an $18m series D round yesterday featuring Syngenta Ventures, the strategic investment arm of agribusiness Syngenta.
Private equity firm Fall Line Capital led the round, which was also backed by S2G Ventures, Lewis and Clark Ventures, Macro Capital Investments and existing investors that included Kodiak Venture Partners and MLSCF, the Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund.
GreenLight has created a cell-free bioprocessing platform it claims can produce high-fidelity RNA sequences far more affordably than other technologies.
The company focuses on developing agricultural products for crops, but is working on RNA technology to be used in public health, vaccine development and therapeutics for humans.
Andrey J. Zarur, GreenLight’s co-founder and CEO, said: “The completion of our series D round of financing allows us to expedite the commercialisation of these next-generation agricultural products.
“We are thrilled to welcome our new investors and have the continued support of our existing investors to further our cause.”
MLSCF led GreenLight’s last funding, a $20m round in June 2015 that came after the company had raised $7m from two undisclosed investors in 2013. Syngenta Ventures and Kodiak were both identified by GreenLight as existing investors in the current round.