Nephrogen
YC S20Techstars '25New York City, US · Founded 2022 · 5 employees · 3 known investors
Nephrogen develops AI-powered AAV delivery vehicles for genetic medicines targeting kidney and pancreatic diseases. The company uses high-throughput in vivo screening to design tissue-specific viral vectors that are significantly more efficient and less immunogenic than existing alternatives.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechData & InfrastructureHealthtechMedical DevicesGene TherapyCRISPRUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S20)
Nephrogen was founded in 2022 by Demetri Maxim.
DM
Demetri MaximFounder and CEO
VB
Vivek BhallaChief Medical Officer
Investors · 3
Competitors · 4
by search overlapBiogen Idec28 shared keywordsBiogen is a biotechnology company founded in 1978 that focuses on breakthroughs in biology. The company serves patients through research and development in the life sciences industry.
Bioworld26 shared keywordsBioWorld is a suite of daily news and data services covering therapeutics, medical technology, biopharma business transactions, and drug R&D, serving biopharmaceutical and medtech industry professionals. Owned by Clarivate, it publishes products including BioWorld, BioWorld Science, and BioWorld Asia with reporting from writers stationed globally.
PepGen14 shared keywordsPepGen develops disease-modifying therapeutics aimed at the underlying causes of serious genetic neuromuscular and neurological diseases. The company is building a pipeline of oligonucleotide-based treatments for these conditions.
Precigen13 shared keywordsPrecigen is a biopharmaceutical company developing gene and cell therapies, including PAPZIMEOS (zopapogene imadenovec-drba), an FDA-approved immunotherapy for adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. The company focuses on immuno-oncology and immunotherapy treatments delivered via subcutaneous injection.
Companies competing with Nephrogen for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Non-dilutive funding · 1 SBIR/STTR award
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health | Phase ISTTR | 2023 | $325K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Nephrogen do?
- Nephrogen develops AI-powered AAV delivery vehicles for genetic medicines targeting kidney and pancreatic diseases. The company uses high-throughput in vivo screening to design tissue-specific viral vectors that are significantly more efficient and less immunogenic than existing alternatives.
- Who founded Nephrogen?
- Nephrogen was founded by Demetri Maxim in 2022.
- Who are Nephrogen's investors?
- Nephrogen's investors include Techstars, Y Combinator, ZAKA VC.
- Where is Nephrogen headquartered?
- Nephrogen is headquartered in New York City, US.