A St. Louis agriculture technology startup developing new insect control products has hired a CEO, as it expands its local headcount and office footprint.
The startup, RNAissance Ag LLC, has named Steven Meyer to the newly created role of CEO. Prior to joining the startup, Meyer was chief operating officer of drug company Lucy Scientific Discovery. Prior to that, he worked for 16 years in both scientific and commercial-focused roles at Bayer Crop Science (formerly Monsanto).
RNAissance, founded in 2019, is working toward commercializing new sprayable insect-control products that use RNA interference (RNAi) technology to fend off pests. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is present in all living cells and has structural similarities to DNA. The startup says RNAi technology is non-GMO and will directly attack pests without impacting other insects and organisms. Pests being targeted by RNAissance’s technology include the Diamondback Moth and Fall Armyworm.
“When I saw the opportunity with RNAissance (and) having worked with RNAi technology a little bit at Monsanto, I really see it as an underutilized technology that has a lot of potential,” Meyer said.
RNAissance is a subsidiary of Kansas City-based technology and venture development firm TechAccel LLC. TechAccel created the company by licensing technology created at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Creve Coeur.
Meyer describes himself as a scientist turned entrepreneur. He has previous experiences with startups, having been a co-founder and CEO of St. Charles-based medical cannabis firm Heya Wellness.
RNAissance’s appointment of a CEO comes as it has charted rapid growth in recent months. It currently has 13 employees, adding eight employees in 2022. As its headcount grows, RNAissance is expanding its headquarters at BRDG Park, located on the campus of the Danforth Center. It is adding laboratory and office space that will increase its footprint there from 1,900 square feet to 5,100 square feet.
“We are definitely in a growth mindset,” Meyer said.
As he takes on the CEO post, Meyer said he will focus on helping advance RNAissance’s technology and ensuring it is able to commercialize it so that it is a cost-effective option for farmers. He said the startup has experienced promising lab results so far and that a major milestone on the horizon will be demonstrating efficacy of its pest control technology with field trials.
