SOLASTA Bio

SOLASTA Bio is a UK-based agricultural biotechnology company developing a new generation of green insecticides. Founded in 2020 as a spin-out from the University of Glasgow by Professor Shireen Davies, Professor Julian Dow, and Paul Bernasconi, the company is built on four years of prior research. Davies, who serves as CEO, has a background in insect neuroendocrinology, while CSO Julian Dow is an expert in insect biology and functional genomics.

The company has created the world's first technology platform for developing neuropeptide-based insect control agents (ICAs). Unlike traditional synthetic chemical pesticides, SOLASTA Bio's products are nature-inspired and derived from peptides that are integral to an insect's metabolism. This allows for a highly specific mode of action that targets physiological functions in pest insects while remaining non-toxic to beneficial species like pollinators, as well as to humans and the wider environment. The products are biodegradable and do not accumulate in nature. This approach addresses key market challenges such as widespread insect resistance to chemical pesticides and the negative ecological impact of conventional crop protection methods.

SOLASTA Bio's business model centers on the development and commercialization of these proprietary bioinsecticides. The company targets the global agricultural industry, providing growers with a safer and more sustainable alternative for crop protection that has demonstrated efficacy on par with or better than commercial standards in multiple field trials. Its platform can be adapted for any pest of interest across both crop and non-crop applications, such as stored grain. The company has raised a total of $19 million, including a $14 million Series A round in September 2024, with investors like Forbion, FMC Ventures, and Corteva Catalyst. This funding is aimed at accelerating development, scaling up manufacturing, expanding US operations from its North Carolina base, and preparing for a targeted market entry by 2027.

Keywords: bioinsecticides, peptide-based pest control, agritech, crop protection, sustainable agriculture, neuropeptides, green insecticides, pollinator safety, biological pesticides, pest management, agricultural biotechnology, food security, insect control agents, venture capital, University of Glasgow spin-out, biopesticides, crop science, sustainable farming, non-toxic pesticides, biodiversity preservation