Maxwell Biosciences is an Austin, Texas-based health technology company developing a new category of immune-inspired small molecules called Claromers. Claromers are designed to mimic the body’s natural defenses and destroy pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and biofilms without harming healthy cells or the microbiome. The company offers an AI-first platform to enable rapid innovation against resistant pathogens and to deliver scalable, shelf-stable, microbiome-resilient solutions. Maxwell is collaborating with multiple governments and select commercial partners to bring Claromer-based solutions to market, beginning with Claromer-based anti-aging cosmetics additives and molecules that target tested pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The company plans to use the $20M financing to expand commercialization into industries where nontoxic antiseptics are highly valued, including cosmetics, cleaning sprays and coatings. Maxwell is led by CEO and Founder Scotch McClure. Maxwell Biosciences develops CLAROMER™, a platform of patented synthetic, low-molecular-weight peptidomimetics designed to mimic human host-defense peptides such as LL-37. The technology targets viral membranes rather than viral proteins, aiming to reduce susceptibility to viral evolution and resistance. Preclinical studies and NIAID testing have shown activity against multiple coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-1, MERS, and Coronavirus Beta, and the compounds have been reported to be well tolerated in animal studies and human tissues in vitro. Maxwell has a large network of academic collaborators with more than 250 peer-reviewed studies supporting the approach and holds granted patents on the technology. The company has received non-dilutive support from DARPA, the NIH, Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Australian government. Maxwell closed an oversubscribed $10.8 million Seed capital raise to accelerate platform development, recruit talent, pursue clinical trials and scale manufacturing. Maxwell Biosciences is developing CLAROMER™ brand anti-infectives, a new small-molecule drug class that disrupts viral membranes and binds viral DNA/RNA. Preclinical studies and cryo-electron microscopy imaging (confirmed at independent labs) demonstrate broad-spectrum, direct virucidal activity against HBV, HCV, Influenza A, multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains, and HSV-1. Peer-reviewed research co-authored by a Maxwell Scientific Advisory Board member shows potent in vitro antiviral activity of related peptoids against HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. In vivo safety data in human tissue and animal models indicate tolerance at 1,000 µg/mL while antiviral activity was observed at 7 µg/mL, suggesting a potentially favorable therapeutic window for topical applications. The company holds a granted composition-of-matter patent portfolio and emphasizes academic collaborations and published evidence to support development. Maxwell plans to advance its CLAROMER program toward clinical-stage development using recent investor support.

Total raised

$31M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Aug 2025