Cambridge, UK-based Sense Biodetection—or Sense—has raised a $15.8 million Series A funding round, as it scales out its portfolio of molecular diagnostics products.
The round, led by Cambridge Innovation Capital and Earlybird Ventures, will allow Sense to grow its spectrum of instrument-free, point-of-care tools that target infectious diseases such as influenza (the common cold). Innovate U.K., Westminster’s innovation agency, also contributed a grant worth around $2.2m.
Sense’s products offer testing in any environment on a wide range of subjects. This flexibility, the company hopes, will transform the diagnostics sector, democratizing and decentralizing medicine. Doctors may test patients more quickly and accurately, leading to more timely and effective treatment and containment of diseases.
“We are delighted to secure the funding necessary to conduct the formal development of our first products,” said Harry Lamble, Sense’s CEO. “With the support of an exceptional new investment syndicate, Sense is positioned to become first-in-class and best-in-class in the exciting field of instrument-free molecular diagnostics and to realize our vision to transform healthcare through decentralization.”