Healthcare-related infections remain a persistent challenge for hospitals, affecting roughly one in every 40 patients and placing a multibillion-dollar burden on the U.S. healthcare system each year.
Founded by brothers Kurt and Dirk Hackenberger, Claryx is tackling the problem through a new approach to pathogen detection that combines environmental monitoring with genomic intelligence to strengthen hospital infection prevention efforts. The startup aims to create what it describes as an immune system for hospitals, capable of identifying disease transmission as it occurs.
The company has emerged from stealth with $3.5 million in pre-seed financing led by Outlander VC. Other participants in the round included Neon, Company Ventures, Mana Ventures, Precursor, Boost VC and 640 Oxford.
According to Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Kurt Hackenberger, Claryx’s platform is already being implemented across several leading health systems in New York City.
How the Company Came About
The brothers’ decision to establish the company was driven by a personal experience. After their grandmother underwent what was expected to be a routine hospital procedure, she developed a Clostridioides difficile infection that progressed to sepsis, turning a short hospital visit into a three-month stay.
That experience led them to explore genomic biosurveillance as a way to improve infection prevention. Their approach analyzes the genetic makeup of pathogens isolated from infected patients, links genetically related cases into potential outbreaks and traces them back to their most likely source.
The Company’s Main Objective
Co-founder and Chief Science Officer Dirk Hackenberger said the company’s goal is to identify dangerous pathogens before they infect additional patients. He explained that Claryx sequences the genomes of microorganisms isolated by hospital clinical microbiology laboratories and combines those data with metagenomic sequencing of environmental samples collected from sources such as building wastewater, air from hospital wards, and swabs taken from sinks and surfaces.
By comparing both datasets, the platform can identify when the same pathogen is responsible for multiple infections, helping epidemiologists determine whether isolated cases are actually part of a broader outbreak and identify its likely origin.
Dirk added that Claryx also compares pathogen genomes with environmental metagenomic data, an approach he described as a key differentiator. For example, if the genome of a pathogen isolated from an infected patient matches genetic material found in a sink in a specific room, the platform can immediately alert infection control teams to disinfect that location before it becomes a source of additional infections.
How to Differentiate Real Transmission Chains From Chance Infections
According to the founders, genomic sequencing is the most reliable way to distinguish genuine transmission chains from unrelated infections. By linking genetically similar cases, the technology helps identify outbreak sources, whether they involve another patient, contaminated medical equipment or an environmental reservoir, while also confirming whether intervention measures have successfully stopped transmission.
Claryx’s platform sequences pathogens from every confirmed patient infection and compares them with a genomic digital twin of the hospital environment, built from samples collected from air, water and surfaces. Artificial intelligence is then used to identify where the pathogen likely originated and predict where it could spread next.
Claryx Emerges to Tackle the $45B Hospital Infection Crisis
Claryx has emerged from stealth with a strategy focused on addressing the growing challenge of hospital-acquired infections. The company is entering a healthcare environment where Healthcare -associated infections continue to create significant clinical and financial pressure for hospitals.
By developing solutions focused on infection prevention and hospital safety, Claryx aims to help healthcare organizations reduce avoidable infections while improving patient outcomes.
Why Hospital-Acquired Infections Matter
Hospital-acquired infections can develop during or after a patient receives medical care. These infections can lead to longer hospital stays, additional treatment, higher costs, and complications for patients.
The scale of the problem creates an important opportunity for companies such as Claryx to develop new approaches that support hospitals in preventing infections.
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