Queen Mary University of London has launched Procyon Diagnostics, a new spinout company dedicated to bringing omics-based single cancer early detection tests from academic research to clinical reality. The launch comes with significant backing through an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round led by Queen Mary University of London, joined by Source Bioscience and a network of experienced life sciences and diagnostics angel investors.
The investment will fund the UK launch, regulatory preparation and international expansion of Procyon's first product, PancRISK, which is planned for early 2026. Cancer causes over a quarter of deaths in England, making early detection critical for improving survival outcomes.
Revolutionary Pancreatic Cancer Detection Technology
PancRISK represents a breakthrough in pancreatic cancer screening, built on fifteen years of research and innovation led by Professor Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic, a leading expert in molecular pathology and biomarkers at Queen Mary's Barts Cancer Institute. The research has been supported by funding from the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.
The test uses machine learning to analyze biomarkers from both blood and urine samples, making it far more effective than any other test currently in use or development, many of which rely on blood alone. This dual-sample approach positions PancRISK as the world's first available pancreatic cancer test of this kind suitable for regular checkups.
"This is a milestone moment for precision oncology diagnostics," said Dr Tony Cooke, Procyon's Chief Executive Officer. "Investor interest in Procyon exceeded our target, underlining the demand for practical, high-accuracy cancer detection. PancRISK will be the first of many single-cancer early detection tests commercialised by Procyon."
Clinical Validation and Scientific Foundation
The underlying science behind PancRISK has been published in Clinical Cancer Research, and the test is currently being validated through a multi-centre clinical trial called UroPanc. Procyon holds an exclusive worldwide license covering the patented test, machine learning algorithm and trademark.
Professor Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic, who serves as Professor of Molecular Pathology and Biomarkers at Queen Mary University of London and Chief Scientific Officer at Procyon, emphasized the life-saving potential of the technology. "Cancer survival depends heavily upon early detection. By detecting early on, our tests could save thousands of lives each year and make regular surveillance a realistic possibility. By establishing Procyon as a new spinout, we can bring these tests to patients as soon as possible."
Strategic Partnerships and Market Expansion
Procyon has established strategic partnerships to support its commercial launch and scaling efforts. The company has formed a partnership with Personalised Diagnostics Limited for the user interface, secure digital storage and algorithmic analysis. Source Bioscience will provide testing services and help manage partner laboratories to scale up testing capacity.
The company aims to become a leading provider of biomarker technologies for detecting early-stage cancers, with target markets including Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Beyond testing services, Procyon plans to use the data collected for further research to develop additional non-invasive tests, primarily based on body fluids such as blood and urine.
Academic Excellence and Innovation Impact
Dr Phil Clare, Chief Executive of Queen Mary Innovation, highlighted the significance of the spinout. "Procyon exemplifies the type of investable, impact-driven spinout we're creating at Queen Mary. The company combines world-class academic research with commercial leadership and investor backing from the start. Their activity will bring immense benefits to patients and their families."
The launch reflects Queen Mary's strong position in medical and life science research, with the university achieving the third highest citations per paper globally in 2025 according to QS rankings. This academic excellence provides a strong foundation for Procyon's mission to transform cancer detection through innovative diagnostic technologies.
