Dr. Aneesh Karatt-Vellatt
Dr. Aneesh Karatt-Vellatt is an Indian-born biochemist and antibody engineering pioneer who co-invented the KnotBody® technology at the heart of Maxion Therapeutics, a Cambridge-based biotech developing first-in-class treatments for previously undruggable diseases. Aneesh holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and has over a decade of experience in antibody and protein drug discovery, with prior roles at AstraZeneca, the University of Cambridge, and IONTAS — a company he also co-founded with Dr. John McCafferty, which was later acquired by FairJourney Biologics.
The KnotBody® platform, which Aneesh co-invented, represents a significant advance in biologic drug development. It works by fusing naturally occurring cysteine-rich miniproteins called knottins — which have evolved over millions of years to modulate ion channels — onto the surface of antibodies. The resulting KnotBodies combine the functional potency of knottins with the superior drug properties and durability of antibodies, unlocking a new class of therapeutics against ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These target classes have long been considered among the most difficult to drug with biologics, making KnotBodies a potentially transformative tool across autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, and cardiovascular disease.
As Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Maxion Therapeutics, Aneesh leads the scientific strategy underpinning the company's KnotBody pipeline. In March 2025, Maxion closed an oversubscribed $72 million Series A — described as one of the largest European private biotech financings since early 2024 — led by General Catalyst, with backing from British Patient Capital, Solasta Ventures, and Eli Lilly. The lead programme, MAX001, is in preclinical development for inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Aneesh was also named a Rising Leader in 2025 by Citeline's In Vivo publication, recognising his influence in reshaping antibody-based drug discovery.
