Spotlight Pathology Secures GBP 1.4 Mn to Advance AI Diagnostics for Blood Cancer Detection

Modelling suggests that the technology could reduce diagnostic time by around 30 per cent, potentially enabling faster treatment decisions for aggressive cancers such as lymphoma.

UK-based startup, Spotlight Pathology, has raised GBP 1.4 Mn in seed funding to accelerate the development and clinical rollout of its artificial intelligence tools designed to support the diagnosis of blood cancers, including lymphoma and leukaemia.

The investment is expected to support regulatory approvals, early-stage clinical studies, and the initial deployment of its AI-powered diagnostic systems. Founded by consultant haematopathologist Dr Richard Byers and AI specialist Dr Martin Fergie, Spotlight Pathology aims to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and advanced machine learning.

Spotlight Pathology’s platform is designed to integrate into existing pathology workflows, allowing clinicians to review AI-assisted insights alongside conventional methods. By analyzing digital pathology slides, the system highlights regions that may indicate cancerous changes, helping pathologists prioritize complex cases and make more consistent assessments.

The startup’s lymphoma-focused AI diagnostic device also consolidates relevant patient data into a single interface, effectively providing a digital second opinion.

Modelling suggests that the technology could reduce diagnostic time by around 30 per cent, potentially enabling faster treatment decisions for aggressive cancers such as lymphoma.

“Our mission is to support pathologists with tools that fit seamlessly into existing workflows, helping them reach accurate diagnoses faster and with greater confidence. We’re excited to be scaling the business from Daresbury and working alongside partners across the North West and beyond as we move into this next phase,” Byers said.

He added that the new funding will help move the technology from development into real clinical environments.

The funding round was co-led by Liverpool City Region Seed Fund and UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund, with continued backing from existing investors. According to Sakura Holloway, Investment Director at Future Planet Capital, the startup reflects strong progress in translating academic research into practical healthcare solutions.

“The team are addressing a critical challenge in blood cancer diagnosis,” Holloway said. “With the right leadership and support in place, the company is well-positioned to bring this technology into clinical settings.”

The startup plans to use the investment to expand its technical team, refine its machine learning models, and progress toward regulatory milestones such as IVDR certification and CE marking.

Initial deployments into NHS sites are expected in 2026, marking a key step toward broader adoption of AI-assisted pathology tools.

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