Overripe bananas could soon become a mere memory in the Philippines, at least.
Currently, over 60% of exported bananas go to waste before reaching consumers.
Known as Panama TR4, the disease threatens 80% of global banana production and theres no cure.
Tropic may have a solution: gene-editing bananas to make them disease-resistant.
Unsurprisingly, the Philippine government has welcomed the prospect.
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Under the countrys newly-defined gene-editing rules, the product can now be freely imported and propagated.
For Tropic, bananas are just the start.
Using gene-editing tools includingCRISPRand the proprietaryGEiGSsystem, the company can change the DNA of multiple organisms.
The benefits could be vast.
Tropic promises higher output, expanded shelf-life, improved disease resistance, reduced waste, and lowered CO2 emissions.
The company says it can also cut costs for growers.
Investors have clearly recognised the potential.
Last year, Tropicraised $35 millionin a freshfundinground.
The cash injection followeda $28.5 million Series Braise in June 2020.
Naturally, that splurge isnt solely motivated by altruism.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
