Genoskin raises $8.7M to advance human skin models as animal testing alternative

Genoskin, a Contract Research Organisation (CRO) developing ex vivo human skin platforms capable of testing injected drugs and implanted medical devices, today announces it has raised $8.7 million in its first funding round.

Genoskin provides a scalable and sustainable alternative to animal testing.

By leveraging donated human skin and its proprietary preservation technology, the company provides live immunocompetent *ex vivo *platforms that remain viable for up to seven days post-surgery, enabling more predictive, human-relevant testing than traditional animal or engineered models. 

The models generate large-scale datasets through multiomics approaches, which are further analysed using AI and advanced bioinformatics to deliver meaningful insights into the toxicity and efficacy of tested products in humans. 

Backed by a robust IP portfolio, an established tissue sourcing network and a proven scalable service model, Genoskin’s solutions deliver translational human-relevant insights that improve predictability and regulatory acceptance. 

This combination gives Genoskin a unique competitive advantage in supplying biopharma, cosmetics and cell and gene companies with models that reflect human physiology, especially for skin-related delivery routes such as injectables, including vaccines and topically administered therapeutics.

OCCTE (FPCI Occidev Impacts) led the investment round, alongside Captech Santé, GSO Innovation and CA Toulouse 31 Initiatives. It includes 5.4 million in equity investment and with $3.3 million (€3M) in non-dilutive financing in structured bank debt, provided by Bpifrance and local banking partners: BNP Paribas, Caisse d’Epargne Midi-Pyrénées and Crédit Agricole.

“As a company built on ethical innovation, we are proud to offer sustainable, human-relevant alternatives to animal testing. This investment validates our strategy and reinforces our position as a leader in predictive immunotoxicology using live human skin models,” said Pascal Descargues, Ph.D., CEO of Genoskin.  

“With the support of our investors, Genoskin is well-positioned to drive meaningful change in how biotherapies are developed, ultimately bringing safer treatments to patients worldwide.”

“We are proud to support Genoskin, a company that perfectly embodies our mission to invest in local innovators delivering sustainable solutions with global reach. Genoskin’s technology offers an ethical, scalable alternative to animal testing and pursues a growth strategy that aligns strongly with our values of economic resilience and scientific impact,” said Julien Gomis, managing partner at OCCTE. “

Captech Santé is pleased to contribute to the financing of Genoskin, a company capable of setting new global standards in the development of injectable drugs and that already counts most major global pharmaceutical companies among its clients,” added Alexandre Demailly, investor at Captech Santé. As part of this round, Genoskin welcomes to its Board of Directors: Julien Gomis (OCCTE), Alexandre Demailly (Captech Santé), Emmanuelle Ostiari (OCCTE), and Anaïs Raluy (GSO/CAT31i).

The financing will drive Genoskin’s next phase of growth and support further staff recruitment, with a view to doubling the size of the company within the next three years and to expanding Genoskin’s commercial presence in key global markets. This will include new strategic hires in Europe and Asia by 2026.

Genoskin plans to launch new immune-centric service offerings by 2027 and strengthen its scientific and regulatory leadership with the development of biosimulation platforms and novel human immune models to reduce reliance on animal testing.

Genoskin will also scale up operations through industrial automation and increased production capacity in both the US and France, by moving into its two updated and expanded facilities - in Salem, MA, in 2026 and in Toulouse, France, in 2027. This will double the production of skin models and launch the production of fresh human primary mast cells for next-day delivery in the US.

Lead image: Freepik.