b"REVOLUTIONIZING CROP PROTECTION:THE SCIENCE BEHIND HEALTHYCROPS FUNGAL-RESISTANT INNOVATIONHEALTHYCROP TAPS INTO CROPS' NATURAL DEFENCES TO CUT FUNGICIDE USE, BOOST FOOD SECURITY, AND ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE FARMING.BY: MARCEL BRUINSI n an era where food security, sustainabil-ity, and climate resilience are at the fore-front of global agricultural challenges, innovation in plant breeding has never been more critical. The traditional reli-ance on chemical fungicides is increasingly scrutinized due to environmental concerns and rising fungal resistance, demanding alternative solutions. Enter Healthycrop, a pioneering agri-biotech startup lever-aging cutting-edge molecular biology to enhance natural disease resistance in crops. By harnessing the power of the crop's own defence, through natural enzymes that dis-rupts fungal infections at the biochemical level, Healthycrop offers a novel approach to crop protectionone that is durable, scalable, and environmentally sustaina-ble. This breakthrough not only reducesDr. Pernille Ollendorff Hede showcasing a fungus resistant corn (left) and a fungus susceptible variety.the need for synthetic fungicides but also supports biodiversity, improves food safety, and aligns with global sustainability goals. As the industry moves towards integrating gene-edited traits into elite crop varieties, companies like Healthycrop are redefin-ing the future of agriculture. But what does it take to scale such an innovation? And how is the regulatory landscape shap-ing the adoption of these next-generation crops? In this conversation, Dr. Pernille Ollendorff Hede, co-founder and CEO of Healthycrop, shares insights into the com-panys mission, technology, and vision for the future.Hede,co-founderandCEOof Healthycrop, brings a unique blend of sci-entific and business acumen to the agri-bi-otech landscape. With a Ph.D in molecular plant biology and a business degree from Copenhagen Business School, Hedes careerCorn cobs from maize plants expressing elevated levels of Nepenthesin (right) compared with began in research before transitioning intocontrol plants (left).18ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | SEPTEMBER 2025"