Cambridge-based life sciences company Lightcast has raised $27 million to accelerate the development of its single-cell analysis technology and prepare for commercial launch.
The round was led by ARCH Venture Partners, with participation from M Ventures, Illumina Ventures, +ND Capital, Longwall Ventures, and OMX Ventures.
Unlocking Functional Insights At The Single-Cell Level
Founded in 2019 and led by Paul Loeffen, Lightcast is developing its Envisia benchtop platform, expected to launch commercially in 2026.
The company’s technology uses light-based systems to precisely control microscopic droplets, enabling detailed functional analysis of individual cells—an approach designed to go beyond traditional methods that primarily focus on cell structure rather than behaviour.
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Accelerating Drug Discovery And Research
By capturing how cells actually function, Lightcast aims to unlock deeper biological insights that can support breakthroughs in drug discovery, advanced therapies, and broader life sciences research.
The new funding will be used to advance product development, scale manufacturing capabilities, enhance software, and expand strategic collaborations with research and industry partners.
From Data To Biological Understanding
While single-cell technologies have already transformed how scientists study cellular characteristics, understanding how cells behave in real-world conditions remains a major challenge.
Lightcast’s platform is designed to bridge that gap, offering researchers a more comprehensive view of cellular function to improve decision-making in therapeutic development.
According to Paul Loeffen:
“Single-cell analysis technologies have transformed how we characterize cells, but they have not fully captured how they behave. Our Envisia platform is designed to deliver deeper functional insights and accelerate the development of new therapies.”
About Lightcast
Lightcast is a UK-based life sciences tools company building advanced platforms for single-cell analysis. Its technology aims to make functional cellular insights more accessible, scalable, and actionable, supporting the development of next-generation drugs, therapies, and biological research.
