Greeen Light Biosciences has decided to invest US$100 million to build a biofungicide production plant, among other biotechnology-based agricultural inputs that rely on RNA technology, with molecules that act with high precision to deactivate specific genes in pests and fungi, without affecting other organisms or leaving toxic residues in the soil, water, or crops.
Although the location has not yet been disclosed, the facilities would be brand-new and the first of their kind in the country, equipped with the technical capabilities required for this type of manufacturing.
The decision made by Green Light Biosciences is a response to the 11,000 life sciences graduates produced annually—not including those in the metropolitan area—and is intended to meet the demand for specialized jobs and innovation, as explained by economist Arturo Adolfo Palacios Romo, general director of Investment Attraction at the local Secretariat of Economic Development (Sedeco).
The decision was also made because of the area’s proximity to several airports: Mexico City International Airport (AICM), Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA), and Toluca International Airport.
Currently, Mexico City is home to one of the largest concentrations of pharmaceutical plants in the region. In addition, the creation of the Tlalpan Innovation District was recently announced—a hub for science and entrepreneurship that brings together academia, government, and the private sector to promote applied research in health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, with an investment of US$125 million,
In addition to the participation of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and SEDECO, which are developing the biotechnology sector focused on human health; therefore, it is unlikely that this will be the location for the new investment.
The registration of what would be the world’s first RNA biofungicide will put Mexico ahead of several markets.
Plan Mexico was the first to give the green light to the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris), the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety, and Quality (Senasica), and the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) to work in a coordinated manner on a comprehensive evaluation of the scientific data. Within nine months of the submission of the application, as detailed by Andrey Zarur, founder of Green Light Biosciences, during the investment announcement.
The new technology is expected to be adopted for the country’s major crops in the medium term, replacing chemical pesticides.
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