Prothea Technologies is a spinout company from the Universities of Edinburgh and Bath developing technology that promises to ‘see and treat’ diseased lung tissue in a single hospital visit. Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with more than 48,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Nine out of ten patients do not survive more than ten years, and survival rates have remained stubbornly low for the last five decades. Currently, patients with suspected early-stage lung cancer undergo screening tests with follow-up scans and biopsies of suspicious tissue, but this approach can be slow and is often inaccurate. While the statistics are bleak, a new spinout company offers hope for faster detection and speedy treatment. Speedier treatment Medical technology spinout Prothea Technologies is developing medical devices that could alleviate pressure on hospitals and improve patient outcomes by enabling lung biopsy, diagnosis and treatment to be carried out in a single hospital visit. The company’s innovations include a fibreoptic Microendoscope combined with an Image Processing System, which enhances visualisation by providing in situ analysis of lesion structure at a molecular level alongside the biopsy tool. Further R&D is planned to develop a laser ablation catheter for the treatment of lesions immediately following visualisation and biopsy. The integration of real-time imaging and ablation will make it easier to rapidly spot disease and treat it in the same procedure, alleviating pressure on our health services and improving the outlook for patients. Professor Kev Dhaliwal An ambitious collaboration Prothea Technologies is the result of over ten years of hard work and collaboration between the Universities of Edinburgh, Bath, Dundee and Durham, alongside NHS Lothian and Heriot-Watt University. Technologies have been developed with support from leading organisations including UK Research and Innovation, the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. Prothea is led by CEO and exec-Chair Crispin Simon, formerly President of Smith and Nephew’s Endoscopy Division, and Chief Science and Medical Officer Professor Kev Dhaliwal, Professor of Molecular Imaging & Healthcare Technology at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair and Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Prothea was supported throughout the company formation process by Edinburgh Innovations (EI), the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service. A dedicated Deal Team comprising technology transfer, business development, investment and legal expertise ensured that all parties in the research team were aware of the critical pathway and that the process of spinning out was coordinated and successful. The company launched in April 2024 with a €12M Series A Round co-led by Earlybird Venture Capital and Mérieux Equity Partners, with participation from NRW Bank and Old College Capital, the University’s in-house venture investment fund. Lung disease is a global health challenge, but Prothea’s hope is that its innovations will improve the early diagnosis and cure of lung cancer, and transform the outlook for patients and their families. Make an impact Do you have an idea that could have a real impact on our world? At Edinburgh Innovations we provide a leading staff enterprise support service, connecting you with funding and investors, and working with you to turn innovations into spinout opportunities. Get in touch to find out more Feeling inspired? Take the next step with Engage - Our online learning programme focuses on the ‘how to’ of external engagement and a practical first step in collaborating with external organisations.Sign up to our Unlocking Innovation newsletter - Be inspired by our innovators, discover the support and resources available to you and celebrate the latest innovation success stories.Explore the Innovation Careers Hub - The University's one-stop shop for all researchers interested in an innovative career.Contact us - If you have an idea and want to drive innovation from your research, meet the team ready to support you on your innovation journey. This article was published on 2025-06-18
