Nephrogen: AI & Gene Therapy for Kidney Disease | TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

A Personal Journey Fuels Biotech Innovation

Demetri Maxim’s mother experienced kidney failure when he was just seven years old. This necessitated regular dialysis treatments – four times weekly hospital visits for blood filtration – as her kidneys were no longer able to function independently.

A kidney transplant offered his mother relief two years later. While the procedure proved successful and enabled a return to a more typical lifestyle, the family’s encounter with kidney disease wasn’t over.

It was discovered that Maxim himself had inherited Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) from his mother. This genetic condition affects approximately one in seven Americans, with roughly 10% of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) cases stemming from inherited factors.

The Spark of Discovery

Maxim’s dedication to finding a solution began during his high school years. He became intensely focused on discovering a cure for both himself and others affected by the disease.

A pivotal moment arrived in 2021 with the publication of a study in Nature Magazine. The research demonstrated the reversibility of PKD in mice utilizing CRISPR technology.

At this time, Maxim was simultaneously pursuing a graduate degree in computational biology at Stanford University and conducting kidney research under the guidance of Professor Vivek Bhalla.

Overcoming the Delivery Challenge

Maxim firmly believed in the potential of gene therapy to reverse PKD. However, a significant obstacle remained: developing a reliable method for delivering therapeutic drugs directly to the affected cells.

To address this crucial challenge, he established Nephrogen in 2022. This biotech startup leverages AI and advanced screening techniques to create a specialized delivery system for the safe and precise transport of gene-editing medications to kidney cells.

Nephrogen is currently recognized as one of the 20 finalists competing in the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

Significant Advancements and Future Plans

Following three years of dedicated development, Maxim asserts that Nephrogen has engineered a delivery mechanism that is 100 times more effective at targeting kidney cells with medication than currently FDA-approved methods.

The company’s next major undertaking involves progressing its innovative delivery system, alongside a proprietary drug, into clinical trials. Maxim anticipates these trials will commence in 2027.

To facilitate this advancement, Nephrogen is currently seeking $4 million in seed funding.

A Personal Stake in the Research

Maxim plans to personally participate in the clinical study, given the substantial health challenges he faces due to his PKD diagnosis.

“The condition causes significant back pain and frequent hospital visits. Current medications aim to slow progression, but their effects are limited, often resulting in increased urination,” he explained. He also noted the constant risk of his disease advancing to the point where dialysis becomes necessary.

The potential success of Nephrogen’s approach is therefore profoundly personal, offering the possibility of a complete cure for Maxim’s PKD.

For an opportunity to hear directly from Nephrogen, alongside numerous other pitches, attend valuable workshops, and forge connections that drive business outcomes, visit here to learn more about this year’s Disrupt, taking place October 27 to 29 in San Francisco.