Cellens Raises $6.5M to Advance AI-Driven Non-Invasive Bladder Cancer Diagnostics
Cellens, a Boston-based diagnostics startup pioneering a new class of non-invasive cancer tests, has successfully raised $6.5 million in a Series Seed funding round to advance its AI-driven mechanobiology platform for early cancer detection. The financing marks a significant milestone for the company as it works to bring its novel urine-based bladder cancer test closer to clinical validation and potential commercial deployment.
The funding round was led by SOSV, a global venture capital firm known for backing early-stage deep tech and life sciences companies. Participation came from a diverse group of strategic and sector-focused investors, including Labcorp Venture Fund, KOLON, Blackwood Healthcare Breakthroughs, Tufts University, American Cancer Society BrightEdge, Cancer Fund, and TiE Boston Angels, reflecting broad confidence in the company’s innovative approach to cancer diagnostics.
Cellens was co-founded by CEO Jean Pham to develop what it describes as a fundamentally new diagnostic modality based on mechanobiology and artificial intelligence. The company’s BioFeel™ platform combines atomic force microscopy—often described as a nanoscale “finger” that physically senses the biophysical properties of single cells—with proprietary machine learning algorithms trained on millions of cell-probe interactions. This approach enables biomarkers derived from the physical characteristics of cancer cells rather than solely molecular signatures, offering a potential breakthrough in sensitivity and specificity for non-invasive tests.
Bladder cancer, one of the most common and costly cancers to monitor, presents a heavy clinical burden because recurrence is frequent and durable surveillance typically requires repeated invasive cystoscopies. Traditional diagnostic procedures often miss low-grade disease or require complex molecular assays with limited sensitivity. In early clinical studies involving nearly 100 patient urine samples, the Cellens test reportedly identified all recurrence cases and achieved strong diagnostic performance metrics, suggesting that the biophysical signals captured by its platform can outperform existing urine-based molecular assays.
The newly secured capital will be used to accelerate the build-out of a Boston-based CLIA-certified laboratory capable of processing patient samples and generating biophysical markers at scale. Cellens plans to expand clinical validation studies in collaboration with leading medical institutions and urologists, including ongoing work with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Tufts Medical Center. The company also intends to deepen its research-and-development partnership with instrumentation partner Bruker to improve throughput and automation of its BioFeel™ platform, ultimately enabling higher-volume clinical testing and future product offerings.
In addition to clinical expansion, Cellens plans to present new data at major scientific and industry forums to demonstrate the broader applicability of its technology. While its first focus is on bladder cancer recurrence monitoring, the company sees potential applications of its mechanobiology platform across other oncology indications where early detection and accurate monitoring could improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
Investors backing Cellens believe that its physics-driven diagnostic signals represent a new frontier in cancer diagnostics, addressing limitations inherent in conventional approaches. By creating biophysical biomarkers that reveal how cancer cells “feel” different from healthy cells, the company aims to enable physicians to rule out non-recurrence cases confidently and reduce unnecessary invasive procedures. This could streamline clinical workflows, improve patient experiences, and help focus attention and resources on patients who need intervention most urgently.
The partnership with academic institutions also underscores the scientific roots of Cellens’s technology. The platform originated from research at Tufts University and builds on interdisciplinary work in mechanobiology and machine learning, blending physical sciences with clinical needs in oncology. Company leadership has stressed that translating this foundational research into clinically actionable diagnostics requires careful validation, robust laboratory infrastructure, and deep engagement with clinician partners.
Cellens’s funding round comes amid growing interest from investors in early cancer detection technologies and diagnostics innovations that promise to shift the standard of care. Non-invasive diagnostics, particularly those that can deliver accurate results with minimal patient discomfort, are increasingly seen as a critical component of modern precision medicine. With its $6.5 million seed financing in place, Cellens is positioned to accelerate its research agenda, expand its laboratory capabilities, and pursue a pathway toward broader clinical adoption.
