Presymptom Health Secures £1.5 Million to Propel AI-Driven Sepsis and Infection Tests to Mark
Presymptom Health, a pioneering company in the field of AI-driven healthcare, has successfully raised £1.5 million in follow-on seed and grant funding. This influx of capital will be instrumental in expediting the company’s journey to market its innovative sepsis and infection tests, with plans to introduce its technology to the NHS by mid-2025.
Presymptom Health
The funding round saw participation from prominent investors, including UKI2S, a renowned investment fund specializing in science and technology startups and SMEs. Additionally, Ploughshare, an organization dedicated to harnessing government inventions, and MedtechToMarket contributed to the investment. Notably, Innovate UK contributed additional funds through an Investor Partnership Grant, further bolstering Presymptom Health’s financial resources.
The primary focus of the funding will be to accelerate product development, facilitate clinical trial activities, and support the attainment of UKCA accreditation by mid-2025. Presymptom Health also aims to expand its reach beyond the UK market with plans to launch overseas.
At the core of Presymptom Health’s technology is the provision of early and accurate information regarding infection status and severity in patients presenting with non-specific symptoms. By leveraging AI-driven algorithms, the company’s tests empower healthcare professionals to make more informed treatment decisions, thereby potentially saving lives and curbing the inappropriate use of antibiotics.
Of particular significance is the potential impact of Presymptom’s technology on the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis, a life-threatening condition. According to The UK Sepsis Trust, sepsis claims a life every 3 seconds globally, with over 245,000 cases reported in the UK annually. Early diagnosis is critical, as delayed treatment significantly increases the risk of mortality. Presymptom’s technology offers the possibility of diagnosing both infection and sepsis up to three days before conventional clinical diagnosis methods, revolutionizing the approach to managing this deadly condition.
Dr. Iain Miller, CEO of Presymptom Health, emphasized the broader implications of the company’s technology in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a pressing global health threat identified by the World Health Organization. By enabling early detection of infections, Presymptom Health’s solution aims to reduce the overprescription of antibiotics, addressing a growing concern within the healthcare sector.
The successful funding round marks a significant milestone for Presymptom Health, positioning the company to enter the market by 2025 and potentially save lives sooner. Initial rollout plans will focus on the UK market, with ambitions for expansion into the US and other international markets in subsequent years. Presymptom Health intends to pursue additional funding opportunities to further accelerate its growth trajectory.
Sakura Holloway, investment director at UKI2S, lauded Presymptom Health’s groundbreaking use of AI in healthcare, underscoring its potential to make a profound impact on human lives. As early-stage investors, UKI2S recognizes the responsibility of supporting technologies with tangible benefits for society, and Presymptom Health’s innovative approach aligns perfectly with this mission.
The foundation of Presymptom Health’s technology is rooted in a decade of research conducted at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), stemming from significant investment by the Ministry of Defence to enhance infection management for service personnel. Clinical trials of the technology are currently underway at nine NHS hospitals in the UK, with promising results expected later in 2024. Additionally, Presymptom Health is actively engaged in planning additional trials across the UK and EU, underscoring its commitment to advancing healthcare innovation on a global scale.
