Spotlight Pathology raises GBP £1.4m for AI cancer tool

Spotlight Pathology has raised GBP £1.4 million in seed funding to develop AI software for diagnosing blood cancers, as the UK pathology workforce faces mounting pressure and rising caseloads.

The round was co-led by the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund and the Liverpool City Region Seed Fund, managed by AXM Venture Capital. River Capital also participated, alongside follow-on investment from existing backers Deepbridge, EHE Ventures and Lyva Labs.

Based at UKRI's Daresbury Labouratory campus in the Liverpool City Region, Spotlight Pathology develops software that analyses digital pathology images and is designed to fit into established clinical workflows.

Blood cancers can be difficult to diagnose and often require multiple reviews by specialist pathologists. The process can be slow, particularly where services face staff shortages, and demand has increased across UK pathology departments.

Spotlight's software focuses on triage and decision support, helping pathologists prioritise cases and reach decisions more quickly. The approach also aims to improve consistency in identifying blood cancers.

Regulatory work

The new funding will support further product development, additional regulatory approvals and the company's first clinical in-use trials. These steps are intended to help move the technology from development into routine clinical use, as Spotlight looks to expand beyond the North West.

Sam Perona, Chief Executive Officer of Spotlight Pathology, said: "Blood cancers can be extremely challenging to diagnose, and diagnostic delays can have devastating consequences for patients. Our mission is to support pathologists with tools that fit seamlessly into existing workflows, helping them reach accurate diagnoses faster and with greater confidence."

"This investment gives us the momentum to move from development into real-world clinical settings. We're excited to scale the business from Daresbury, work alongside partners across the North West and beyond, and strengthen our board with experienced leadership as we enter this next phase."

Investor view

UKI2S is a national seed investment fund that backs companies emerging from the UK's publicly funded science and knowledge base. It is managed by Future Planet Capital and backed by UK Research and Innovation and other public bodies.

Sakura Holloway, Investment Director at the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund, said: "Spotlight Pathology is a strong example of how UK university research can be translated into technologies that will transform patient outcomes. The team is addressing a critical challenge in blood cancer diagnosis, and with the right leadership and support in place, the company is well positioned to bring this technology into clinical settings.

"This investment reflects our conviction in both the team and the technology, and our commitment to backing spin-outs that apply advanced science to pressing healthcare challenges, improving productivity in the health system and delivering meaningful global patient impact.

"I'm particularly excited to back Sam Perona as CEO, following his successful exit from a UKI2S portfolio company, and to have introduced diagnostics industry leader Marcel Gehrung as Chair at Spotlight."

Joanne Evans, Investment Director at the Liverpool City Region Seed Fund, said: "We are delighted to invest in a team that brings together world-leading expertise in haematopathology and AI, led by Sam Perona, and to support Spotlight Pathology's growth in the region."

Regional focus

The Liverpool City Region Seed Fund is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Local leaders have positioned the investment as part of a broader effort to build a cluster around science and technology commercialisation at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

"Spotlight Pathology's success is a powerful example of the groundbreaking health innovation emerging from our City Region. This investment is more than financial backing; it represents a commitment to accelerating lifesaving technologies that can transform how quickly and accurately blood cancers are diagnosed, which will make a real difference for people across our region. Through the LCR Seed Fund, alongside other funding partners, we're ensuring that pioneering companies like Spotlight have the support they need to thrive and deliver real impact. Spotlight Pathology's growth at Sci-Tech Daresbury reinforces our ambition to be a national leader in science, innovation, and deep-tech commercialisation," said Robinson.

Company background

Spotlight Pathology was founded by Dr Richard Byers, a consultant haematopathologist, and Dr Martin Fergie, an AI specialist. Fergie has more than 15 years' experience developing healthcare algorithms, according to the company.

The founders have positioned the business as a response to a bottleneck in haematopathology and a need for tools that work in day-to-day clinical practice. Spotlight is preparing for clinical in-use trials while working through regulatory requirements and developing its product for wider adoption.