US-based seed tech company InnerPlant says it has reached an important regulatory milestone with the completion of the FDA’s New Protein Consultation (NPC) process for the fluorescent protein used in its InnerSoy product.
Shely Aronov, CEO and cofounder of InnerPlant, highlighted the process as “a meaningful step forward in our regulatory pathway providing support for the safety of our science.”
InnerPlant genetically engineers plants so that they signal distress via fluorescent proteins when under attack from disease, pests, or other environmental threats. In other words, these “sensor plants” turn fluorescent colors the company says can be seen from as far away as space.
The InnerSoy product signals fungal pressure in soybean plants by emitting the fluorescent signal at the earliest signs of fungal stress.
It’s this product that just completed the FDA consultation, which evaluates “non-pesticidal protein produced by the new plant variety under the development of food for use.”
Aronov told AgFunderNews that navigating the regulatory process is integral to “unlocking the full potential of every InnerPlant trait.
“Achieving USDA approval in 2023 and completing the FDA’s NPC process establishes a solid foundation as we continue working toward global regulatory approval. This brings us one step closer to a future where InnerPlant’s sensors are in every field, and growers are able to farm more effectively and efficiently than ever before.”
InnerPlant raised
a $30 million Series B round last year backed by
Deere & Company and an alliance of large North American growers, amongst others. The round in part has helped fund the rollout for CropVoice, the company’s insights platform.
As for what’s next, “We are immediately focused on expanding our CropVoice fungal alert network to growers in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska,” said Aronov.
“We have a number of key retailer partnerships in place that we look forward to sharing soon and are already looking toward expansion into new geographies in 2026.”
