Humonix Biosciences

Humonix Biosciences operates as a specialty pharmaceutical research company, providing services to de-risk and accelerate drug development, primarily for ophthalmic conditions. Originally founded as Glauconix Biosciences in 2014 by Dr. Karen Torrejon, Dr. Feryan Ahmed, and Colby Creedon, the company rebranded in July 2023 to reflect its expanded focus beyond its initial glaucoma models. The company is headquartered in Albany, New York, and collaborates with both academic and industrial partners.

The core of the business is a proprietary 3D human tissue engineering platform. This technology creates physiologically relevant, lab-grown human tissue models that mimic disease states, offering a more accurate and efficient alternative to traditional preclinical animal testing. By using these models, Humonix aims to reduce the time, cost, and high failure rates associated with pharmaceutical development, allowing clients to enter clinical trials with greater confidence. The company's business model is that of a contract research organization (CRO), providing scientific and technical services to accelerate, validate, and support its partners' drug development processes.

Co-founder Dr. Karen Torrejon, who invented the platform technology, now serves as CEO. Her journey began as a graduate student at the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, where she identified an unmet need for a more efficient pathway in drug discovery. This led to the creation of the company's foundational technology. Dr. Feryan Ahmed, Co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, contributes over two decades of preclinical drug development experience from his time at Albany Molecular Research Inc. (now Curia Bio). Humonix has secured funding from sources including the National Science Foundation, Excell Partners, and Eastern New York Angels.

Humonix's service offerings are centered on its 3D tissue models. The initial platform was a model of the eye's trabecular meshwork for glaucoma research, designed for early testing of drugs, biologics, and medical devices. The company has since expanded its portfolio to include vascular and fibrotic models. A key offering is the retinal vascular dysfunction model, a 3D representation of the blood-retinal barrier that incorporates multiple cell types for more accurate disease simulation. This model is applicable to conditions like macular edema and diabetic retinopathy. The company is also developing models for pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. A significant benefit of this ex vivo system is its alignment with the FDA's Modernization Act 2.0, which encourages reducing reliance on animal testing.

Keywords: 3D tissue engineering, contract research organization, ophthalmic drug development, preclinical testing, human tissue models, glaucoma, fibrotic models, vascular models, drug discovery, animal model alternatives