# Humane Genomics

**Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/humane-genomics  
**Vertical:** Healthcare  
**Subcategory:** General  
**Tier:** Emerging  
**Website:** humanegenomics.com  
**Last Updated:** 2026-04-14

## Summary

Synthetic oncolytic virus biotech engineering programmable cancer-killing RNA viruses; $8.12M raised with Union Square Ventures leading 2025 round competing in cancer immunotherapy.

## Company Overview

Humane Genomics is a synthetic virology biotech company engineering oncolytic viruses — synthetic RNA viruses designed to selectively infect and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed — using a proprietary platform that programs viral behavior at the genomic level to create next-generation cancer therapies. The company raised $8.12 million in total funding including a February 2025 round led by Union Square Ventures with 14 investor participants, developing RNA-based viral cancer therapies for systemic delivery designed for extended therapeutic activity.

Humane Genomics' synthetic virology platform enables precise engineering of viral genomes to control which cell types the virus infects (cancer cell selectivity through tumor-specific entry mechanisms and replication-dependent killing), how long the virus remains active, and what payloads the virus carries (immune-stimulating transgenes that activate anti-tumor immune responses alongside direct viral killing). The synthetic approach, building viruses from scratch rather than modifying natural viruses, enables more precise control over safety and efficacy characteristics than naturally derived oncolytic virus platforms.

In 2025, Humane Genomics competes in the oncolytic virus and cancer immunotherapy market with Genelux (GL-ONC1), Imvax, Replimune (REPL), and the broader cancer immunotherapy pipeline including checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T for solid tumor oncology. Oncolytic virotherapy has seen renewed interest as the cancer immunotherapy field looks beyond checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1) for approaches that work in immunologically "cold" tumors that don't respond to immune checkpoint blockade. Union Square Ventures' lead investment reflects the growing biotech-focused investment activity at traditionally software-focused growth funds. The 2025 strategy focuses on preclinical validation of the synthetic virology platform, advancing lead programs toward IND-enabling studies, and building the manufacturing process for synthetic RNA virus production at clinical scale.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Humane Genomics?
Humane Genomics is a biotechnology company founded in 2020 that revolutionizes cancer therapy by engineering synthetic oncolytic viruses through advanced synthetic biology techniques. The company uses a proprietary synthetic virology platform to design custom oncolytic viruses that selectively infect and destroy cancer cells.

### What products and services does Humane Genomics offer?
Humane Genomics offers RNA-based viral therapies, synthetic oncolytic virus engineering, selective cancer cell infection treatments, high lytic activity treatments, and systemic delivery mechanisms. Their services include synthetic biology cancer therapeutics, custom virus design platform, and targeted cancer treatment solutions.

### Who are Humane Genomics' target customers?
Humane Genomics serves cancer patients, oncology centers, and medical institutions requiring innovative cancer treatment solutions globally.

### When was Humane Genomics founded?
Humane Genomics was founded in 2020 and participated in Y Combinator's Summer 2021 batch (S21).

### Where is Humane Genomics located?
Humane Genomics is based in the United States.

### How much funding has Humane Genomics raised?
Humane Genomics has raised $8.12M in total funding, including a round led by Union Square Ventures announced in February 2025. The company has 14 investors including Humba Ventures, Leo Capital, Mana Ventures, Union Square Ventures, and Creative Destruction Lab.

### What notable achievements has Humane Genomics reached?
Humane Genomics was accepted into Y Combinator's S21 batch and has secured $8.12M in total funding from 14 investors. The company has developed a proprietary synthetic virology platform for designing custom oncolytic viruses.

### What technology approach does Humane Genomics use?
Humane Genomics uses a proprietary synthetic virology platform that leverages advanced synthetic biology techniques to engineer synthetic oncolytic viruses. These viruses are designed to selectively infect cancer cells with high lytic activity, systemic delivery mechanisms, and extended therapeutic duration.

### How does Humane Genomics' cancer therapy work?
Humane Genomics engineers synthetic oncolytic viruses that selectively infect cancer cells and destroy them through high lytic activity. The therapy uses RNA-based viral treatments with systemic delivery mechanisms to provide safe, effective, and targeted cancer treatment.

### What recent developments has Humane Genomics announced?
In February 2025, Humane Genomics announced a funding round led by Union Square Ventures, bringing their total funding to $8.12M with 14 investors. The company continues to develop synthetic oncolytic viruses for cancer treatment using their proprietary synthetic virology platform.

## Tags

healthtech, saas, north-america, b2b

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*Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*