Application of engineered natural products for crop protection
We are developing engineered natural products as next-generation crop protection agents, as sustainable alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals.
What it is
A discovery and development platform that designs and engineers bioactive non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) for crop protection. We focus on novel molecules and optimized NRPs with targeted activity against plant pathogens and pests, while maintaining environmental compatibility.
Why it matters
Crop protection is constrained by resistance, regulatory pressure, and environmental concerns. There is a need for new modes of action and biologically derived solutions that are effective and sustainable.
How it works
We combine computational molecular design, enzyme and pathway engineering, and microbial production systems to generate and optimize NRPs. Molecules are designed in silico, produced in engineered strains, and improved through a design–build–test cycle focused on activity and manufacturability.
Proof to date
Early validation has demonstrated the ability to design and produce engineered NRPs in microbial hosts, confirming an end-to-end workflow for complex bioactive scaffolds.
Our in silico design space spans ~10¹⁸ molecules. We produce and test up to 5,000 novel molecules per week in microtiter workflows integrated with screening assays. In parallel, we generate ~3 million molecules per cycle in a one-pot format, enabling direct cell-based testing (bacterial and fungal pathogens) in microfluidic setups.
We have completed a project with a top-10 industry partner and signed a second collaboration.
Next steps
Seeking feedback from crop protection experts to validate platform capabilities and identify high-value applications. Open to pilot programs in crop protection, plant health (nutrient uptake, stress resilience), and co-development through to field validation.
About Myria Biosciences AG
Myria Biosciences AG is a Basel-based drug discovery company that combines synthetic biology and artificial intelligence to engineer complex, nature-inspired therapeutic molecules. Its core technology, the Genetically Engineered Modular Molecular Scaffolds (GEMMS) platform, uses AI-guided biosynthesis to reprogram the biosynthetic machinery of cells. By shifting away from reliance on naturally occurring compounds, the company can design and produce millions of artificial natural products in a single week. This approach enables the discovery of novel chemical matter that goes beyond the limitations of evolutionary biology, specifically targeting previously undruggable disease areas.
The company serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and agribusiness partners by generating custom-designed molecule libraries and focused biopharmaceutical candidates. By integrating cutting-edge science from institutions such as ETH Zurich and the Max Planck Institute, Myria aims to accelerate the discovery and optimization of therapeutic candidates. The platform’s ability to generate high-throughput data and access vast, previously uncharted chemical space supports the development of targeted, high-precision biopharmaceuticals for unmet medical needs. Following a successful pre-seed funding round in 2024, the company is advancing its internal pipeline and collaborating with industry partners.
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