Renaissance BioScience Secures Australian Patent for Innovative RNA Biopesticide Technology

Renaissance BioScience Corp., announced that the Australian Patent Office granted a patent for its yeast-based RNA production and delivery platform, marking the second patent for this technology following an earlier approval by the Chinese Patent Office.

This aligns with the company's press release, which confirms the Australian patent as a milestone, with additional jurisdictions pending and notes an existing portfolio of over 50 issued patents.

The technology utilises inactivated baker yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a protective carrier for RNA molecules, addressing industry challenges such as high production costs and instability.

John Husnik, CEO and CSO, Renaissance BioScience

"We are thrilled to secure this Australian patent, a key milestone that validates our yeast-based RNA platform’s potential to transform pest control and beyond."

John Husnik, CEO and CSO of Renaissance BioScience

The platform’s lead application is an RNAi-based biopesticide targeting the Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a pest causing significant agricultural damage, with global crop losses estimated at up to USD 500 million annually across North America, Europe, Russia and Asia.

The biopesticide employs RNA interference (RNAi) to target beetle-specific genes, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, to which CPB has developed resistance against over 50 compounds.

Independent tests have shown promising efficacy, with the technology integrating seamlessly with existing farming practices and promising scalability through global yeast production networks.

The patent’s timing is strategic, given Australia’s prominence as a global agricultural innovator, where sustainable pest management is increasingly critical amid 40% global crop losses due to pests. 

Beyond agriculture, the platform holds potential for animal health (e.g., oral vaccines) and human medicine (e.g., gut health treatments), markets hinted at in the release. The inert yeast carrier focuses regulatory attention on the RNA ingredient, potentially accelerating market entry.