b"Revolutionizing Crop Protection: The ScienceBehind Healthycrops Fungal-Resistant InnovationHealthycrop taps into crops natural defences to cut fungicide use, boost food security, and advance sustainable farming.By Marcel Bruins, Seed World Europe Editorial DirectorAS GLOBAL AGRICULTUREgrap- nated with mycotoxins, leading to signifi-ples with food security, sustainability,cant health and economic consequences.and climate challenges, plant breedingThe widespread use of agricultural innovation is crucial. The growing con- fungicides has contributed to rising fungal cerns over chemical fungicides and risingresistance in both animals and humans. fungal resistance call for alternatives.A University of Aarhus study found that Healthycrop, an agri-biotech startup,4% of mold species are resistant to azoles, leverages molecular biology to enhancea common antifungal drug, with resist-crops' natural disease resistance by acti- ance expected to grow. Healthycrops vating plant defense enzymes to combatapproach offers a promising solution fungal infections. This eco-friendly solu- to slow or prevent the development of tion reduces reliance on synthetic fungi- resistant strains, helping to maintain the cides, supports biodiversity, and alignseffectiveness of antifungal treatments.with sustainability goals. As gene-edited traits are integrated into crop varieties,Pernille Ollendorff Hede, Healthycrop CEO.Prestigious Award and Future FocusHealthycrop is redefining agriculture.PHOTO: HEALTHYCROP In 2024, Healthycrops efforts were rec-Dr. Pernille Ollendorff Hede, co- ognized with the prestigious InnovAction founder and CEO, discusses the com- Award at Euroseeds. The award opened panys mission, technology, and scalingby attacking fungal enzymes at multipledoors to strategic discussions and poten-efforts amid a changing regulatory land- sitesmaking it exceptionally difficulttial partnerships, boosting Healthycrop's scape. Driven by a passion for sustainablefor pathogens to adapt. Furthermore,visibility and credibility in the agricultural food production, Hede sees Healthycropits activity is naturally regulated, activat- biotech community.as a chance to merge scientific innovationing only when infection is present, whichHealthycrop is preparing to navigate with entrepreneurship to make a mean- ensures a targeted and efficient defencea complex regulatory and commercial ingful impact in global agriculture. mechanism. This biochemical strategylandscape. One major challenge is the represents a durable and fundamentallyuncertainty surrounding New Genomic The Heart of the Innovation different approach to crop protection. Techniques legislation. Despite this, Hede At the heart of Healthycrops innova- Healthycrops mission also alignsremains optimistic, expressing confidence tion is Nepenthesin, a protease enzymeclosely with global sustainability objec- that regulatory clarity will emerge.that plays a key role in enhancing atives, particularly in terms of environmen- Healthycrop is positioning itself at the plant's natural resistance to fungaltal and human health benefits. Reducingforefront of a more resilient, sustainable infections. Originally identified in barley,reliance on chemical fungicides, Hedefuture for global agriculture.Nepenthesin is crucial to the plantspoints out, helps protect biodiversity and defence system; when it's absent, sus- drinking water quality while lowering the ceptibility to fungal attacks significantlyclimate footprint of agriculture. CropsWHERE increases. Hede explains that fungalwith natural fungal resistance contributeON THE WEBpathogens invade crops by breakingto food security by reducing yield lossesThis article has been shortened down plant cells to extract nutrients.and the presence of mycotoxinsdan- for print. Scan the QR code to Unlike traditional fungicides, whichgerous compounds produced by fungalread the entire version.target specific points and can lead toinfections. According to the FAO, up to a resistance over time, Nepenthesin worksquarter of all crop products are contami-JUNE 2025SEEDWORLD.COM /21"