Maxion Therapeutics is a technology company.
Maxion Therapeutics has raised $91.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Maxion Therapeutics has raised $91.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Maxion Therapeutics is a Cambridge, UK-based biotechnology company developing KnotBody® therapeutics, which are antibody-like proteins fusing venom-derived knottins (cysteine-rich mini-proteins) with antibodies to target previously undruggable ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).[1][2][4] It serves patients with ion channel- and GPCR-driven diseases, including chronic pain affecting ~1.5 billion people worldwide (with 64% inadequately treated), autoimmune disorders impacting over 300 million, inflammatory conditions like atopic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular diseases.[2][3][4] The proprietary platform solves technical challenges in modulating these targets, enabling potent, selective, long-acting drugs where traditional antibodies have failed despite heavy R&D investment.[1][2] Growth momentum includes founding in 2020 and raising $72 million (£58 million) in an oversubscribed Series A in 2025, led by General Catalyst with participation from British Patient Capital, Solasta Ventures, Eli Lilly, LifeArc Ventures, Monograph Capital, and BGF; lead program MAX001 is in preclinical development for inflammatory diseases.[2][3]
Maxion Therapeutics was founded in 2020 by biotech veterans Dr. John McCafferty (CTO, co-founder, inventor of antibody phage display technology—2018 Nobel Prize contributor via co-inventor Sir Greg Winter—and co-founder of Cambridge Antibody Technology, acquired by AstraZeneca, and IONTAS, acquired by FairJourney Biologics) and Dr. Aneesh Karatt-Vellatt (CSO, co-founder).[2][3][4] The idea emerged from their invention of KnotBody® technology, combining knottins' natural ion channel modulation with antibodies' manufacturability and half-life to address untreatable diseases like chronic pain, autoimmunity, and heart conditions where ion channel dysfunction plays a key role.[1][2] Early traction built on McCafferty's prior platforms (phage and mammalian display), leading to the 2025 Series A oversubscription, board additions from General Catalyst and British Patient Capital, and preclinical advancement of MAX001.[2][3]
Maxion stands out in biologics discovery through its KnotBody® platform, leveraging state-of-the-art phage and mammalian display to create multifunctional therapeutics with superior attributes:
Maxion rides the ion channel and GPCR therapeutics wave, where ~1.5 billion suffer pain and 300+ million face autoimmunity, but small molecules fall short and antibodies have seen zero clinical approvals despite billions invested.[1][2][4] Timing aligns with advances in display technologies and mini-protein engineering, amplified by post-2020 biotech funding resurgence; its 2025 Series A reflects investor confidence in platforms tackling high-unmet-need targets amid rising inflammatory and chronic disease burdens.[2][3] Maxion influences the ecosystem by pioneering KnotBody® for "undruggable" targets, potentially shifting biologics paradigms like phage display did for antibodies, and fostering collaborations (e.g., Eli Lilly investment).[2][4]
Maxion's preclinical momentum positions it for IND filings on MAX001 within 2-3 years, expanding its pipeline into clinic for pain, autoimmunity, and cardio via KnotBody® scalability.[2][3] Trends like AI-driven discovery and mini-protein hype will accelerate its path, with GPCR/ion channel focus capitalizing on aging populations and biologics dominance. Influence may grow through partnerships or acquisitions, mirroring founders' exits, evolving from platform pioneer to multi-asset biotech powerhouse—transforming untreatable diseases into addressable markets as its Series A fuels proof-of-concept data.[2][4]
Maxion Therapeutics has raised $91.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Maxion Therapeutics's investors include Business Growth Fund, General Catalyst, Hummingbird Ventures, Octopus Ventures, Jonathan Milner.
Maxion Therapeutics has raised $91.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $75.0M Series A in March 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2025 | $75.0M Series A | Business Growth Fund, General Catalyst, Hummingbird Ventures, Octopus Ventures, Jonathan Milner | |
| Feb 1, 2023 | $16.0M Series A | Business Growth Fund, Hummingbird Ventures, Octopus Ventures, Jonathan Milner |