NEW YORK — Manhattan Genomics, a biotechnology company committed to preventing inherited diseases through responsible genomic medicine, has announced the formation of its world-class scientific team. Co-founded by biotech entrepreneur Cathy Tie and researcher Eriona Hysolli, Ph.D., the company is uniting leading experts in bioethics, reproductive medicine, and computational genomics to advance preventative therapies that could eliminate genetic disorders before birth.
“Inherited diseases should not dictate human fate,” said co-founder Cathy Tie. “This is our generation’s Manhattan Project—to ensure that no child inherits a preventable genetic disease. Families are desperate for solutions, and we are committed to eliminating inherited conditions that devastate families across generations. With the brightest minds in science and ethics guiding our work, we’re building the foundation for responsible genomic medicine, advancing cures under the strongest ethical and regulatory guardrails while positioning the United States to lead globally in this transformative field.”
Manhattan Genomics is developing next-generation medical technologies designed to correct harmful mutations at the embryonic stage, with the goal of preventing severe inherited conditions such as Huntington’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia. The company’s approach emphasizes ethical responsibility, transparency, and scientific rigor, ensuring that its advancements are grounded in public trust and patient safety.
To reinforce its ethical and scientific framework, Manhattan Genomics has appointed John R. Quain, an Ethics Fellow in the Bioethics Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, whose work focuses on the responsible application of genetic research in human health. “This technology presents extraordinary opportunities, so it’s critical that it moves forward and does so ethically,” said Quain. “Our goal is to reduce suffering for families facing inherited mutations in a way that is scientifically rigorous and ethically sound. To do that, there must be strong oversight, a commitment to patient safety, and clear communication about the tremendous potential public health benefits.”
Joining the company’s distinguished network of scientific contributors are leading figures such as Norbert Gleicher, M.D., Medical Director and Chief Scientist of New York’s Center for Human Reproduction (CHR) and visiting scientist at Rockefeller University; Carol Hanna, Ph.D., and Jon Hennebold, Ph.D., directors at the Oregon National Primate Research Center and global authorities on reproductive biology and assisted reproductive technologies; and Stephen Turner, Ph.D., former Head of Genomics Strategy at Colossal Biosciences and Professor of Data Science at the University of Virginia, known for his expertise in computational genomics and disease modeling.
The company’s mission has drawn strong support from Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D., a leading scientist in germline gene therapy and inventor of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), the world’s first germline gene therapy for mitochondrial DNA disease. “I strongly support Manhattan Genomics’ mission to correct and prevent transmission of genetic diseases,” Mitalipov said. “This critical work demands thoughtful conversation with all stakeholders, and Manhattan Genomics is highly focused on bridging those conversations.”
“To take on a mission as ambitious as the Manhattan Project, we must bring together the innovators who built the technologies that will define the next stage of human health,” said co-founder Eriona Hysolli, Ph.D. “This exceptional team will help shape a future where inherited disease is no longer inevitable.”
With a strategy centered on ethical innovation, transparent science, and patient-first research, Manhattan Genomics aims to establish the United States as the global leader in genomic medicine—creating a future where no child’s life is limited by genetic inheritance.
