Cancer diagnostics startup Cellens raises $6.5 million to advance…

Team S · 2025-12-29T13:04:34.000Z

Cellens, a Boston-based cancer diagnostics startup developing a physics- and AI-driven mechanobiology platform for non-invasive bladder cancer monitoring, has raised $6.5 million in a seed funding round to accelerate clinical validation, build out laboratory capacity, and scale its BioFeel™ technology. The financing follows compelling early clinical data showing strong diagnostic performance in bladder cancer recurrence detection, with results supported by collaborations with leading urology teams at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The round was led by SOSV, a major global early-stage venture firm with deep expertise in life sciences and biotech acceleration. Labcorp Venture Fund also participated as a strategic investor, reflecting interest from one of the world’s largest diagnostics companies in next-generation cancer testing platforms. Additional participating investors included American Cancer Society BrightEdge, KOLON Industries, Blackwood Healthcare Breakthroughs, Tufts University, Cancer Fund Impact Investments™, and TiE Boston Angels, showcasing broad backing from both strategic and mission-aligned capital focused on oncology diagnostics innovation. Cellens’ technology leverages atomic force microscopy (AFM) and proprietary machine learning models to detect biophysical signatures of cancer cells in urine, creating a novel diagnostic signal that may outperform traditional molecular assays in sensitivity and specificity. The company plans to use the new capital to expand clinical validation, automate its platform through partnerships such as with Bruker, and open a CLIA-certified laboratory for processing patient samples at scale. Founded by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in diagnostics and mechanobiology, Cellens aims to reduce the burden of invasive surveillance procedures such as cystoscopy and deliver a more accurate, patient-friendly monitoring solution for bladder cancer. #cancer #diagnostics #funding #seedround #Cellens #SOSV #Labcorp #AI #biotech #bladdercancer #healthcareinnovation

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Cancer diagnostics startup Cellens raises $6.5 million to advance… | Newnex