Thermoreleaf

ThermoReLeaf is an Argentine biotechnology startup founded in 2024 that develops solutions to protect crops from heat-induced yield losses. The company utilizes a dual approach comprising precision gene-editing technology, specifically CRISPR-Cas9, and the application of plant-derived biomolecules. This platform targets the molecular mechanisms that trigger heat-induced cell death in plants, allowing crops to maintain productivity and growth under extreme temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius without altering their development or creating transgenic organisms. The technology is designed to be versatile and applicable across a wide spectrum of crop species, including cereals, vegetables, and legumes, and can be administered via seed or foliar treatment.

Founded by scientists from the Institute of Biological Investigations (IIB) in Mar del Plata—Gabriela Pagnussat, Ayelén Distéfano, and Diego Fiol—the company aims to address the global food security challenge posed by climate change, which causes billions of dollars in agricultural losses annually. By stabilizing yields, the startup seeks to restore profitability for farmers and improve the resilience of global food systems. The project, which originated from over a decade of basic scientific research, has gained international recognition, including the Best Newcomer award at the Global Startup Awards, and is currently focused on scaling its solutions through industry partnerships, licensing, and commercial validation to transition from laboratory research to broad agricultural application.