Innovative
Antivirulence
Solutions
Transforming healthcare with cutting-edge biotechnology to protect human health and aquaculture against bacterial diseases.
Targeted Therapies
Specifically and effectively target necrotizing fasciitis, gastroenteritis, vibriosis, and other diseases cause by Vibrio bacteria.
The only quorum sensing based therapeutic for the market. Designed based on over 15 years of research.
Sustainable practices for a healthier planet and increased food chain security.
Research & Development
Biotechnological Advancements
About Quornix
We are a women-owned startup focused on innovating antivirulence therapeutics for human health and sustainable aquaculture.
Diseases caused by Vibrio bacteria are on the rise due to:
Global
Warming:
Rising ocean temperatures are empowering these bacteria, naturally found in marine environments, to populate and thrive in waters that were previously too cold. Thus, incidences of vibriosis are moving up the U.S. coastline, with reports of fatalities as far north as Maryland (so far in 2025).
Antibiotic Resistance:
Due to excessive use of antibiotics in many aquaculture settings, Vibrio strains resistant to current antibiotics are being isolated and identified. There is a rising emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Vibrio strains including reports of strains resistant to antibiotics currently used for human treatment (2024).
Vibrios are a threat to both aquaculture and human health due to global warming and rising antibiotic resistance.
Vibrio bacteria cause vibriosis in shrimp resulting in loss of 40% of aquacultured shrimp production and costing the industry billions of dollars annually. There has been a 41% global increase (1996-2005) in rates of vibriosis in shrimp ponds, and this stat is continuously increasing.
When infected oysters are eaten by humans, the Vibrio bacteria can cause gastroenteritis. The CDC estimates there are 52,000 yearly cases of vibriosis as a result of eating contaminated food. Farmed oyster mortality rates have exceeded 70% along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in recent years (2022-23).
Vibrio bacteria can also enter into the body through open wounds leading to severe illness, necrotizing fasciitis, and amputations. About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill (CDC). Example of the effects of these "flesh eating" bacteria after Hurrican Helene (2024).
Vibrio bacteria cause disease in a wide range of hosts including fish and coral, which could become a potential focus for future endeavors.
