Vancouver-based startup ViewsML has secured $4.9 million CAD in seed funding to advance its platform for virtual tissue analysis and accelerate the development of what it aims to become the world’s first digital biomarker library.
The round was led by Wittington Ventures, with participation from Mayo Clinic, Continuum Health Ventures, and existing investors including RiSC Capital and Debiopharm. The funding brings the company’s total capital raised to $6.5 million.
Transforming A Decades-Old Process
Biomarkers—key indicators found in tissue samples—play a critical role in diagnosing diseases and guiding treatment decisions, particularly in areas like cancer. However, traditional methods such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) require physical lab staining, a process that is time-intensive, costly, and often consumes valuable tissue samples.
ViewsML is rethinking this approach by developing AI models that can extract biomarker insights directly from digital pathology images—eliminating the need for lab-based staining.
According to CEO Kenneth To, the company identified an opportunity to modernise a process that has remained largely unchanged for decades, leveraging advances in AI and digital pathology to unlock new possibilities.
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From Lab Workflows To Software
The company’s platform converts biomarker detection into a software-driven process, enabling faster and more scalable analysis while preserving scarce biological material. This shift has the potential to significantly improve turnaround times and reduce variability in interpretation.
By building a virtual biomarker library, ViewsML aims to create a digital infrastructure layer that supports both clinical decision-making and pharmaceutical research, ultimately accelerating the path toward precision medicine.
Complementing, Not Replacing, Existing Methods
Rather than fully replacing traditional lab techniques, ViewsML positions its solution as a complementary layer that enhances current workflows. By reducing the need for physical testing in some cases, it can help streamline operations across healthcare systems and research environments.
Growing Traction In Healthcare And Pharma
The startup is already collaborating with leading pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic providers, and healthcare organisations. With the new funding, ViewsML plans to expand these partnerships, further develop its AI models, and scale its biomarker library.
The company also intends to grow its team across engineering, scientific research, and commercial functions as it moves toward broader clinical applications.
Unlocking The Future Of Precision Medicine
Investors see significant potential in ViewsML’s approach, highlighting its ability to fundamentally improve how biomarkers are identified and analysed—making the process faster, more accessible, and scalable across global healthcare systems.
As AI continues to reshape life sciences, ViewsML is positioning itself at the intersection of digital pathology and precision medicine, aiming to redefine how disease is understood and treated.
