Claryx Raises $3.5M Pre-Seed to Use AI and Genomics to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Infections

Claryx Emerges from Stealth with $3.5 Million Pre-Seed Funding

Healthcare AI startup Claryx has emerged from stealth after raising $3.5 million in pre-seed funding to help hospitals detect, trace, and prevent hospital-acquired infections using AI-powered genomic intelligence.

The funding round was led by Outlander VC, with participation from Company Ventures, Boost VC, Neon, Mana Ventures, 640 Oxford, and Precursor.

Using AI and Genomics to Detect Infections Earlier

Founded in 2024 by brothers Kurt Hackenberger (CEO) and Dirk Hackenberger (Chief Science Officer), Claryx combines environmental sampling, pathogen genome sequencing, and AI to identify infection sources before outbreaks spread.

The platform analyzes genomes from infected patients alongside environmental samples—including air, wastewater, sinks, and hospital surfaces—to identify transmission pathways and pinpoint contamination sources.

CloneLink Platform Powers Hospital Surveillance

Claryx's CloneLink platform creates a genomic map of hospital environments by comparing patient infections with environmental DNA samples.

The system helps infection prevention teams:

• Detect hidden outbreaks

• Trace infection sources

• Identify contaminated hospital environments

• Guide targeted cleaning and intervention efforts

• Monitor whether containment measures are effective

The company also deploys AeroScan, a continuous air sampling system that collects environmental data for genomic analysis.

Addressing a Multi-Billion Dollar Healthcare Challenge

Hospital-acquired infections remain one of healthcare's largest operational challenges.

According to the company, healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of thousands of patients annually in the United States and contribute to billions of dollars in healthcare costs through longer hospital stays, higher treatment expenses, and regulatory penalties.

Claryx aims to serve as an intelligence layer for existing hospital infection prevention programs, helping healthcare providers allocate cleaning, monitoring, and infection control resources more effectively.

Expanding Hospital Deployments

The startup is already deploying its technology across multiple health systems in New York City.

The new funding will support:

• Expanding deployments to additional hospitals

• Growing clinical evidence and validation

• Demonstrating return on investment

• Scaling its AI-powered genomic surveillance platform

Looking ahead, Claryx also sees opportunities beyond hospitals, including elder care facilities, factories, schools, offices, and other indoor environments where pathogen monitoring could improve public health.