Invaio Sciences, The Coca-Cola Company, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Solve and Fundecitrus are participating in the Save the Orange initiative. The collaborative effort aims to address citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (HLB).
“We bring to the Save the Orange initiative a powerful suite of innovations, including our commercially available Trecise technology,” Invaio stated.
According to Invaio, Trecise is a precision delivery system that improves yield by an average of 30% and restores tree health. Trecise delivers active ingredients directly into the vasculature of the tree, where the citrus greening bacteria reside. Invaio stated that Trecise reduces pesticide use by up to 90%.
Trecise was launched in Florida in 2023. Invaio is working to expand access to Trecise in other citrus-growing regions severely impacted by HLB, including Brazil and Mexico.
As part of the Save the Orange initiative, Invaio is also leveraging its expertise from its proprietary generative AI engine to accelerate the discovery of novel biological treatments.
“We are also leveraging advanced screening capabilities, robust product development infrastructure and specialized expertise in citrus greening to accelerate impact,” Invaio stated regarding its participation in Save the Orange.
“Since emerging in 2004, HLB has infected nearly 100% of Florida’s orange trees and has triggered billions of dollars in losses to the global citrus industry,” The Coca Cola Company stated. “Without improvements in detection, management and treatment, the global orange supply could vanish in the next 25 years.”
According to The Coca Cola Company, Save the Orange was developed in collaboration with Fundecitrus and Invaio Sciences. The initiative unites experts in agritech, biotech, computer science, data science, life sciences and public policy. A team of MIT professors and industry leaders have already kicked off research.
Fundecitrus Executive Director Antonio Juliano Ayres said, “Through the Save the Orange partnership with The Coca‑Cola Company, Fundecitrus reaffirms its long-standing commitment to science-driven solutions, transparency and innovation. Together, we are uniting knowledge, technology and people to safeguard the future of citrus.”
Sources: Invaio Sciences and The Coca Cola Company