Biotechnology company Glauconix Biosciences, Inc. has announced a name change to Humonix Biosciences, Inc. as well as an expanded focus of its operations.
Refresh me on this company.
Based in Albany, New York, the newly-named Humonix Biosciences is a specialty pharmaceutical research company leveraging a novel human tissue engineering platform technology to potentially minimize the cost of ophthalmic drug development.
Go on …
The company’s purpose lies in collaborating with academic and industry partners to “help screen, identify, and validate the unique (mechanism of action [MOA]) of the most effective drug candidates.”
And why the name change?
Originally specializing in glaucoma therapeutics, the company’s focus moving forward will also include developing new fibrotic and vascular 3D human tissue models—beginning with the introduction of a new technology platform.
Back up … talk about this original model first.
The company’s novel glaucoma tissue model and testing platform are designed with the intent to accelerate results and save on costs. Services include:
- Disease screening
- Custom-designed studies of pre- and post-drug-treated tissues
- Efficacy and dose response identification
- Potential target identification
- Target validation of relevant biomarkers, proteins, and receptors
- Mimic, monitor, and measure intraocular pressure (IOP)
- Safety and toxicity insights
Click here for details to learn more about each offering.
Gotcha. So what’s this new platform?
The retinal vascular dysfunction 3D model is designed to provide key physiological and biological characteristics, including offering the same services as the original glaucoma model (see above).
Any special features?
Unique to this model, according to the company, is its ability to mimic the following:
- Interactions between retinal microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes
- Proper barrier function of the retinal microvasculature
- Expression of proper cell type-specific markers
- Responsiveness to treatments affecting tissue permeability
How does human tissue come into play?
The model focuses on assisting with all stages of the drug development process, with 3D human tissue being incorporated to expedite the process.
Wait, why use human over animal tissue?
Human tissue can provide a medium for greater translatability and faster turnaround time when compared to standard preclinical processes.
Lastly … any data on this new model?
Yes! The company presented on its newest model at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting earlier this year.
Click here to view the poster.