Key Takeaways
- Flagship Pioneering invests $50 million in Terrana Biosciences, a new RNA agriculture platform company
- Terrana develops non-genome-altering crop protection and yield solutions using native plant RNAs
- The platform uses AI and computational models to rapidly design and deploy new functional traits
- Initial proof-of-concept demonstrated in tomatoes, corn, and soy, with 15+ products in development
- Technology aims to offer adaptable, climate-resilient tools across annual and perennial crops
Flagship Pioneering Unveils Terrana Biosciences with $50M Commitment
Flagship Pioneering, the bioplatform innovation company, has announced the launch of Terrana Biosciences, a company focused on delivering RNA-based agricultural tools that enhance and protect crop traits without altering plant genomes. The new venture is backed by a $50 million initial investment from Flagship to accelerate product development and scale operations in crop protection and yield enhancement.
“With Terrana, we are bringing an entirely new dimension of innovation to agriculture through similar RNA technology that we pioneered in human health,” said Noubar Afeyan, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Terrana and CEO of Flagship Pioneering.
A New Approach to Plant Trait Enhancement Through Native RNAs
Terrana’s platform leverages the natural role of self-replicating RNAs in plants to influence traits such as growth, development, and stress response. Using AI and advanced computational modeling, the company has built a design system and extensive RNA library capable of assembling new crop traits with speed, precision, and environmental stability.
This approach differs from traditional genetic modification or chemical treatments by using the plant’s own biological systems—what the company refers to as “the language of nature.”
According to Ignacio Martinez, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Terrana and General Partner at Flagship Pioneering, “Using the language of nature, we can give plants new instructions, yielding adaptable solutions rooted directly in the plant’s natural physiology.”
Terrana Technology Pipeline and Field Validation Already Underway
Terrana has already demonstrated proof of concept in tomatoes, corn, and soybeans, and has built a pipeline of over 15 product candidates targeting both row and specialty crops. The platform enables applications throughout a plant’s lifecycle—from seed to postharvest—offering flexibility that conventional inputs often lack.
CEO Ryan Rapp noted that current agriculture models force farmers to make critical decisions far in advance, based on historical trends: “Terrana’s ability to unlock all aspects of seed and crop traits in plants enables an entirely new set of agile solutions that can be applied at any time in the growing season.”
