Today, Ichor is a vertically integrated contract research organization occupying multiple commercial facilities with complete pre-clinical R&D capabilities in LaFayette, NY and Potsdam, NY.
However, the company’s beginnings were far more modest.
Our Story
Ichor was founded by Kelsey Moody while in medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Using a $540K seed grant awarded by the Life Extension Foundation, Ichor established a functional laboratory in an apartment living room in historic Tipperary Hill.
The living room laboratory was fully equipped for biological research. Initial programs at the company focused on stem cell biology, with capabilities to support mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy.
Ichor living room lab (2013)
Ichor research lab (2018)
Working with his father, a retired math teacher and contractor, Dr. Moody and company constructed a specific-pathogen free vivarium suitable for research with immunocompromised mice in the apartment’s spare bedroom. This enabled advanced husbandry capabilities at the company, including xenograft models.
In 2014, the Ichor team solved a series of technical problems that had prevented further development of SENS Foundation’s macular degeneration enzyme therapy program (which would later become Lysoclear) and acquired all rights to the program.
With over $1 million in new funding led by Ichor’s first major investor and partner Roger Bagg, multiple research programs in progress, and a growing client base for contract research, Ichor relocated south of Syracuse to rural LaFayette and established its first commercial research facilities.
Since these humble beginnings, Ichor has risen to prominence as a premier provider of contract laboratory services. The company’s strong publication record and PhD program are a testament to the quality standard for scientific excellence that defines Ichor.
Today, with a research team occupying multiple facilities in LaFayette and Potsdam, Ichor continues its ambitious pursuit of excellence in integrated drug discovery.
Our History
MAY, 2013
Ichor is founded in an apartment living room
Ichor started with a functional living room laboratory complete with a specific-pathogen free vivarium in the apartment’s spare bedroom.
NOVEMBER, 2014
Lysoclear launches
Ichor solved problems preventing development of the macular degeneration enzyme therapy program and acquired all rights.
February, 2017
Ichor acquires Finger Lakes Bio
Ichor acquired Finger Lakes Bio, a boutique protein engineering company.
May, 2018
Auctus launches
Ichor launched Auctus. All the programs were fully funded with new investment rounds
August, 2020
Ichor acquires Woodland
Ichor acquired oncology and metabolic disease CRO, Woodland Biosciences.
July, 2021
Ichor rebrands as Ichor Life Sciences
Ichor Therapeutics rebranded as Ichor Life Sciences to emphasize service offerings.
September, 2022
Ichor leads founding investment in Lento Bio
Lento Bio launches with aim to develop anti-glycation drugs for presbyopia and diseases of aging.
We work towards a vision, not for a company
Building a successful company is a consequence of what we do in the pursuit of our vision. We are intrinsically motivated to create positive change in the world, and this philosophy extends to all aspects of company operations.
We build our own talent
Fundamental to the Ichor culture is an emphasis on professional development. Our team is not only evaluated on what they already know, but also on an ability to obtain new skills, work through diverse challenges, and anticipate and preempt complications within company workflows.
Team members are encouraged to embrace professional development opportunities, and to obtain cross training in areas unrelated to their core competencies.
Our Ichor Portfolio Companies
MitoChem is focused on developing treatments to address the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases
Auctus Biologics, Inc. is developing an orally bioavailable antibody mimetic scaffold called a ribobody.
LentioBio is focused on developing small-molecule therapeutics to target crosslinks that cause tissues to stiffen with age.
Lysoclear, Inc. is developing a recombinant enzyme therapy that targets retinoid derivatives thought to contribute to various eye diseases.