About Genodis

Genodis is a biotechnology company dedicated to modeling human diseases and translating cutting-edge genetic and genomic discoveries into tomorrow’s therapies.

Founded by Professor Charalampos (Babis) Spilianakis of the Biology Department, University of Crete, Genodis brings decades of expertise in genetics, genomics, molecular biology, epigenetics and immunology into one focused, translational venture based in Heraklion, Crete.

Our Mission

At Genodis, our mission is to decode the molecular basis of disease and turn this knowledge into innovative therapies.

We do this by:

Creating precision in vivo models of human disease
Applying state-of-the-art genomics and epigenomics
Designing novel mRNA-based and biological therapeutics
Building durable partnerships with academia, healthcare providers and industry across Europe
Training the next generation of biologists, geneticists and bioinformaticians

Ultimately, we aim to contribute new solutions for chronic, inflammatory and rare diseases and to strengthen Europe’s capacity for translational research and therapeutic innovation.

What We Do

Genodis operates at the interface of disease modeling, functional genomics, and drug development. Our activities include:

Disease Modeling & Mouse Genetics

Design and generation of genetically engineered mouse models to mimic human pathologies
Use of tissue-specific and inducible systems (e.g. Cre/loxP) to study genome instability, aging, cancer and immune dysregulation
Preclinical in vivo platforms to test candidate therapeutics and delivery strategies

Genomics, Epigenomics & Bioinformatics

Comprehensive genetic, genomic and epigenomic profiling of disease models
Integration of functional genomics with biological endpoints in cancer, aging and inflammatory diseases
Advanced bioinformatic analyses to identify biomarkers, prognostic signatures and novel therapeutic targets

Therapeutic Concepts & mRNA Technologies

Development of targeted anti-inflammatory and biological drugs, including mRNA-based approaches
Design of nanocarrier and oligonucleotide delivery systems for targeted modulation of disease-relevant cells
Exploration of personalized medicine concepts where mRNA constructs can be tailored to specific patient needs

Consulting & EU-Funded Projects

Participation in competitive national and European research and innovation programs
Consulting on research design, genomics strategies, IP, standardization and regulatory readiness
Coordination and contribution to training networks (e.g. industrial PhDs, MSc and PhD projects in partnership with the University of Crete)

Training & Capacity Building

Mentoring and hands-on training for MSc, PhD students and early-career researchers
Transfer of know-how in biological protocols, drug delivery strategies and advanced omics techniques
Contribution to European efforts against “brain drain” by creating high-level research jobs within the EU

Scientific Roots

Genodis is built on two internationally recognized research programs:

3D Epigenetics & Immune Regulation
Led by Professor Charalampos Spilianakis, this research program:

Dissects long-range chromosomal interactions in innate and adaptive immune cells
Studies how 3D genome organization within distinct nuclear microenvironments shapes gene expression
Explores “3D epigenetics” to understand immune function, autoimmunity and inflammatory disease

Genetics, Genome Instability & Aging
Led by Professor George Garinis, this program focuses on:

How genome instability drives aging, progeroid syndromes and age-related diseases
The delicate balance between cancer protection and accelerated aging
Tissue-specific DNA repair defects and their consequences
Integrative bioinformatics linking functional genomics data to cancer and aging phenotypes

These complementary strengths enable Genodis to connect fundamental mechanisms of genome function with real-world therapeutic opportunities.

Technology, Infrastructure & IP

Genodis leverages a powerful technology stack and a clear IP strategy to maintain a competitive edge:

CRISPR-based gene editing and advanced mouse genetics
High-throughput sequencing and multi-omics platforms
Advanced microscopy and cellular imaging
AI-assisted and high-performance computing (HPC) pipelines for large-scale genomic data
Strong focus on intellectual property, including patenting novel
- oligonucleotide delivery systems
- nanocarrier-based immunosuppressive and immunotherapeutic compositions

Our dedicated IP management and regulatory partners ensure that discoveries are protected, compliant and ready for translation, aligning with EMA/FDA expectations and relevant ISO and CEN standards (e.g. GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 10993).

Why Crete, Why Europe

Genodis is based in Heraklion, Crete, at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East—an emerging hub for biotechnology with:

Strong academic foundations in life sciences
Excellent research infrastructure
A growing ecosystem of EU-funded research and innovation projects

From this base, Genodis is tightly integrated into the European biotechnology and pharmaceutical landscape, contributing to:

Development of next-generation anti-inflammatory and biological drugs
Strengthening European translational research capacity
Creating high-skill jobs and fostering talent retention within the EU

Our Broader Impact

Beyond technology and products, Genodis is committed to scientific, societal and economic impact:

Targeting inflammation, a central driver of many chronic diseases
Enabling faster, safer and more affordable biological and mRNA-based therapies
Providing new options for rare and underserved diseases
Enhancing Europe’s preparedness for future health crises through modern therapeutic platforms
Raising public awareness on modern biotechnology and the role of EU research in public health

By modeling human diseases with precision and designing smart therapeutic strategies, Genodis aims to help reshape how we understand, prevent and treat complex disorders—starting from the genome and ending with tangible benefits for patients.