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In a significant stride for biotech innovation, Cambridge-based Cyted Health has secured $44 million in Series B funding to accelerate its mission of transforming early detection of esophageal cancer.
Announced on August 30, 2025, this underreported funding round, led by EQT Life Sciences and co-led by Advent Life Sciences and British Business Bank, positions Cyted to expand its groundbreaking non-invasive diagnostic platform, EndoSign®, across the United States while consolidating its success in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
With esophageal cancer remaining one of the deadliest cancers globally, boasting a mere 20% five-year survival rate, Cyted’s technology offers a lifeline through early detection and prevention, addressing a critical gap in gastrointestinal diagnostics.
The Funding Round and Its Purpose
Cyted Health’s $44 million Series B financing, with additional support from existing investors Morningside and BGF, and a strategic partnership with HCA Healthcare, marks a pivotal moment for the company.
The funds will fuel three core objectives: accelerating commercial expansion in the U.S., strengthening its established presence in the UK, and enhancing its portfolio of advanced diagnostic tests. The company’s FDA 510(k)-cleared EndoSign® device, a swallowable capsule sponge that collects esophageal cells for biomarker analysis, is at the heart of this growth strategy.
This technology, coupled with proprietary molecular testing, enables early detection of conditions like Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, significantly improving patient outcomes.
This Series B financing marks a defining moment for Cyted as we continue to deepen our commitment to detecting esophageal diseases earlier, this investment will help us consolidate our leading position in the market by expanding our US presence and adding new life-saving innovations to our advanced diagnostics portfolio
Marcel Gehrung, CEO and Co-founder of Cyted Health.
Why Esophageal Cancer Detection Matters
Esophageal cancer, particularly esophageal adenocarcinoma, is a global health crisis due to its low survival rate, often attributed to late-stage diagnoses. Fewer than 10% of patients with Barrett’s esophagus, the primary precursor to this cancer, are diagnosed early, underscoring the need for accessible screening tools. Traditional endoscopy, while effective, is invasive, costly, and underutilized due to patient discomfort and healthcare system constraints.
Cyted’s EndoSign® platform addresses these challenges by offering a patient-friendly alternative that has already conducted over 35,000 tests through the NHS, demonstrating high clinical efficacy and patient acceptability. Peer-reviewed studies, including the BEST3 trial, report a 10-fold increase in Barrett’s esophagus detection rates, with 94% specificity and 90% sensitivity, making it a game-changer in gastrointestinal diagnostics.
A Strategic Bet on Non-Invasive Diagnostics
The gastrointestinal diagnostics market is projected to reach $6.56 billion by 2030, driven by rising cancer incidence and demand for cost-effective, non-invasive solutions. Cyted’s first-mover advantage in upper GI diagnostics, backed by its NHS-proven model, positions it to capture a significant share of this market, particularly in the U.S., where the GI diagnostics sector is expected to hit $9.2 billion by 2030.
The company’s DETECT-ME clinical validation study, launched in March 2025, is enrolling patients across multiple U.S. sites to further validate its molecular assays, strengthening its regulatory and commercial foothold.
Bruno Holthof, Partner at EQT Life Sciences, emphasized the investment’s significance: “Cyted is strongly positioned to redefine the standard of care in upper GI diagnostics worldwide. Its minimally invasive diagnostics platform is the standout innovation to capture this significant market opportunity, and we’re delighted to add the company to our portfolio.”
UK Roots, Global Ambitions
Founded in 2020 by University of Cambridge experts, including Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, Dr. Marcel Gehrung, and Dr. Maria O’Donovan, Cyted Health exemplifies the translation of world-class academic research into impactful commercial solutions.
Professor Fitzgerald, Director of the Early Cancer Institute, highlighted the milestone: “As an inventor of this technology and a co-founder of Cyted Health, I am absolutely thrilled that we now have the runway to develop and implement our test for earlier diagnosis of cancer of the esophagus. This is fantastic news for patients and the UK economy.”
The company’s integration into the NHS, where it has reduced endoscopy backlogs and improved patient triage, underscores its real-world impact. In the UK, Cyted’s technology is already a cornerstone of community-based screening, with prior funding including a £3.4 million NHS Cancer Programme grant in 2023 to expand testing in primary care settings. This Series B round builds on that foundation, enabling Cyted to scale its operations globally while continuing to innovate in biomarker discovery and AI-driven diagnostics.
Investor Confidence and Market Potential
The participation of prominent investors like EQT Life Sciences, Advent Life Sciences, and British Business Bank reflects strong confidence in Cyted’s vision. Carmine Circelli, Director of Life Sciences at British Business Bank, noted, “Cyted is an excellent example of the kind of high-impact business we aim to back. Their innovation has the potential to transform early cancer detection and create lasting health outcomes both in the UK and globally.” UK Science Minister Lord Vallance echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of life sciences in driving economic and healthcare advancements.
The non-invasive diagnostics market, valued at $107.5 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $184.73 billion by 2032, is ripe for disruption. Cyted’s ability to combine a scalable, cost-effective device with advanced biomarker technology aligns with healthcare trends prioritizing early intervention and precision oncology. Its strategic partnership with HCA Healthcare further bolsters its U.S. expansion, providing access to key health systems and payers.
Challenges and Opportunities
While Cyted’s technology is a breakthrough, challenges remain, including regulatory hurdles in the U.S. and competition from other diagnostics players like Exact Sciences and Guardant Health. However, its clinical validation, NHS adoption, and first-mover advantage in upper GI testing mitigate these risks. The company’s focus on reducing healthcare costs—potentially by 70% per patient through improved screening compliance—further strengthens its value proposition.
A Vision for the Future
Cyted Health’s $44 million Series B funding is more than a financial milestone; it’s a testament to the growing importance of early cancer detection in addressing global health challenges. By leveraging its EndoSign® platform and expanding its diagnostic portfolio, Cyted is poised to save lives and reduce the burden on healthcare systems worldwide. As the company scales its U.S. operations and continues to innovate, it stands to redefine gastrointestinal diagnostics, offering hope to millions at risk of esophageal cancer.
