Hurel Corporation, a biotech company based in the Technology Center of New Jersey in North Brunswick, has received an investment from the private equity investor Johnson Associates. The terms were not disclosed.
Hurel provides in vitro liver models and microfluidic assay platforms, both of which are used by researchers studying the effects of drugs on organs in pre-clinical drug development.
Hurel’s cell-based products, respectively tradenamed HæRELHuman, HuRELDog, HuRELPrimate, and HuRELRatT, are made from actual liver cells derived from the human, canine, cynomolgus monkey, or rat species, respectively — the four species most widely utilized in pre-clinical drug development. (See U.S. 1, April 2, 2014.)
“Johnston Associates is pleased to invest in Hurel, which is about to emerge as the leader in cell-based liver models,” said Robert F. Johnston, JAI’s Managing Partner. “Hurel’s products have the capacity to improve and ultimately transform how preclinical drug discovery and general chemical testing are carried out. I’m looking forward to working with Hurel’s talented management team as they extend the commercial reach of their products and their company.”
Organized in 1968 by Robert F. Johnston, JAI provides venture capital to early-stage biotechnology and healthcare companies.
Hurel Corp., 675 Route 1 South, Technology Center of NJ, North Brunswick 08902; 732-626-5596; fax, 732-745-7270. Robert Freedman, CEO. www.hurelcorp.com.
