UpFront Diagnostics, a pioneering medical technology company based in Cambridge, UK, has successfully raised $4.3 million to drive the commercialisation of its breakthrough stroke diagnostic test, LVOne, and expand into new international markets.
The funding round was led by Phoenix Sustainable Investments, with participation from Cambridge Enterprise Ventures. Additionally, the company received non-dilutive funding from SBRI Healthcare, underscoring broad institutional confidence in its mission to revolutionise stroke care.
LVOne: A Pocket-Sized Innovation for Stroke Diagnosis
LVOne is a proprietary, rapid finger‑prick blood test that measures GFAP and D-dimer biomarkers to detect stroke in just a few minutes. Designed for use anywhere, even before a patient arrives at the hospital, LVOne empowers clinicians to make faster and more accurate treatment decisions, reducing time to care and the risk of long-term disability.
With stroke being a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, this test has the potential to transform outcomes by enabling early, precise diagnosis of stroke type, especially for large vessel occlusion (LVO) cases.
Where the Funding Will Go
The capital raised will enable UpFront to:
- Begin commercialisation of LVOne in the UK and Europe
- Advance regulatory approvals in the US
- Expand R&D and technical teams
- Strengthen partnerships for global market access
“This funding round is a significant milestone for UpFront. It will enable us to bring LVOne to market and make a real difference in the lives of stroke patients,”
— Gonzalo Ladreda, CEO and Co-founder, UpFront Diagnostics
“The perseverance and innovative spirit demonstrated by our team have been instrumental in securing this support. We’re honoured to partner with Phoenix and Cambridge Enterprise, whose backing enables us to pursue real impact,”
— Dr. Tito Bacarese, Chairman
About the Investors
Phoenix Sustainable Investments
A mission-driven group delivering solutions for a sustainable future across technology, housing and healthcare. Founded by Karl Hick, Phoenix is also behind The Helen Hick Stroke Foundation, which supports stroke patients in the UK.
Cambridge Enterprise Ventures
The venture investment arm of the University of Cambridge, supporting high-impact startups with capital, board experience and connections across the global innovation ecosystem.
About UpFront Diagnostics
Founded in 2017 in Cambridge, UK, UpFront Diagnostics develops and commercialises LVOne, the world’s first portable, rapid blood test for stroke diagnosis using finger-prick samples. The company is committed to transforming pre-hospital stroke care and improving patient outcomes worldwide.
