Joshua "Scotch" McClure, founder and CEO of Maxwell Biosciences, has developed Claromers™, a synthetic version of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, aimed at combating infectious diseases.

The original peptide LL-37 is crucial for fighting pathogens, but its instability led McClure to create a stable peptoid variant to enhance its effectiveness.

McClure predicts that the successful application of Claromers™ could extend the population's healthspan by 20 to 40 years by significantly reducing the impact of infectious diseases.

He believes that infectious diseases are the primary disruptors of homeostasis in the body, contributing to many chronic health issues associated with aging.

McClure identifies chronic subacute infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus, as common yet overlooked factors that diminish individual health and energy levels.

His interest in longevity science was sparked by personal family health crises involving antibiotic-resistant infections, which led him to focus on infectious diseases.

Maxwell Biosciences has secured a $300 million contract with India to tackle antibiotic-resistant infections, underscoring the global health implications of their work.

The company is also collaborating with the US military to develop treatments for potential biological threats and provide preemptive care for combat injuries.

Claromers™ are designed to fend off infections, potentially increasing human healthspan and lifespan, and have attracted attention and funding from military and international collaborations.

In preclinical studies, Claromers™ have shown effectiveness against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, with no observed toxicity to human cells or beneficial microbiomes.

Following successful non-human primate studies, human clinical trials are anticipated, with McClure expressing optimism about the outcomes and future applications of the technology.

Ultimately, McClure's technology aims to create a synthetic immune system that can outperform innate immune peptides, effectively combating infectious diseases.