£1.4 million
Seed investment secured (co-led by UKI2S)
Across the UK and globally, healthcare systems are under increasing pressure. Workforce shortages, growing patient demand and diagnostic backlogs are placing strain on already overstretched pathology departments. Nowhere is this more critical than in the diagnosis of blood cancers – among the most complex and time-sensitive forms of cancer to detect.
Spotlight Pathology is addressing this challenge head-on. Based at UKRI’s Daresbury Laboratory campus in the Liverpool City Region, the company is developing AI-powered digital pathology tools designed to help clinicians diagnose blood cancers faster and more consistently. By integrating seamlessly into existing clinical workflows, Spotlight’s technology enables pathologists to prioritise cases more effectively and reach decisions sooner – helping patients begin treatment earlier and improving outcomes.
With strong foundations in UK clinical and AI expertise, Spotlight Pathology is transforming advanced research into real-world healthcare impact.
Diagnosing blood cancers is often a complex and multi-stage process, frequently requiring review by specialist haematopathologists. Delays in diagnosis can have serious consequences for patients, yet pathology departments are facing increasing workloads and a shortage of trained professionals.
Spotlight Pathology’s AI software analyses digital pathology images to support clinicians in identifying blood cancers more quickly and consistently. Developed by a founding team combining deep clinical insight and advanced AI expertise, the technology is designed to slot directly into existing diagnostic workflows rather than disrupt them.
Founded by Dr Richard Byers, a Consultant Haematopathologist, and Dr Martin Fergie, an AI specialist with more than 15 years’ experience developing healthcare algorithms, Spotlight brings together frontline medical experience and machine learning capability to address longstanding diagnostic bottlenecks.
The company is now progressing through regulatory approvals and its first clinical in-use trials – a critical step toward widespread clinical adoption.
Seed investment secured (co-led by UKI2S)
AI healthcare algorithm experience within the founding team
Scaling from a nationally significant science campus
This investment supports regulatory progress, product development and the transition from advanced R&D into real-world clinical deployment.
“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.”
“Spotlight Pathology is a strong example of how UK university research can be translated into technologies that will transform patient outcomes.The team are addressing a critical challenge in blood cancer diagnosis, and with the right leadership and support in place, is well positioned to bring this technology into real clinical settings."
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), managed by Future Planet Capital, is proud to co-lead this £1.4 million seed round, supporting Spotlight Pathology as it advances from research to regulated clinical use.
This investment reflects UKI2S’s commitment to backing spin-outs that apply advanced science and AI to pressing healthcare challenges. Beyond capital, UKI2S has supported the company’s leadership development and strategic growth – including backing Sam Perona as CEO and strengthening the board with experienced diagnostics expertise.
Spotlight exemplifies the role of UKI2S in helping companies emerging from the UK’s public research base scale from nationally significant campuses such as Daresbury into globally impactful healthtech businesses.
The future of healthcare will depend not only on breakthrough treatments, but on faster, more accurate diagnosis. By combining clinical expertise with advanced artificial intelligence, Spotlight Pathology is helping to modernise blood cancer diagnostics and reduce delays in care.
With strong regional roots, world-class scientific foundations, and the backing of UKI2S, Spotlight Pathology is positioned to improve productivity within the health system while delivering meaningful impact for patients across the UK and beyond.
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