TechAccel Invests in Sprayable RNAi Pesticide Technology

TechAccel, a Kansas City-based technology and venture development company, today announced it has awarded the first grant under its “Path to Commercialization” program at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, one of the world’s largest independent plant science institutes, located in St. Louis, MO.

The $60,000 grant will fund a project to demonstrate a sprayable technology to apply RNA interference (or RNAi) technology in a biopesticide targeting the Diamondback moth. The Diamondback moth attacks cruciferous vegetable crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage, and it is responsible for billions of dollars in crop losses every year worldwide.

“Our first grant will support a new platform technology applied to one of the world’s worst insect pests,” said Michael Helmstetter, Ph.D., president and chief executive of TechAccel. “This project is a perfect example of our science advancement commitment with the Danforth Center. We see great potential in using this RNAi technology as a biopesticide against the Diamondback moth.”