Cambridge oncology innovator secures £500k investment to improve cancer drug development accuracy

Founded by experienced leaders in medical devices and oncology research, Verinnogen is developing a new approach to measuring tumour size and volume in pre-clinical cancer research. By improving the precision and consistency of these measurements, the technology aims to address a long-standing challenge in drug development and enable more reliable evaluation of new therapies.

Accurate measurement of tumour progression is a critical step in the development of new oncology treatments. However, widely used techniques can introduce variability and inconsistency, particularly when assessing complex tumour shapes. This can lead to unreliable data and, in some cases, the need to repeat studies, slowing progress and increasing costs.

Verinnogen’s technology is designed to overcome these challenges by delivering more precise, rapid and reproducible measurements. This has the potential to improve the quality of pre-clinical data, accelerate decision-making in drug development, and support better outcomes across the research pipeline.

The £500,000 investment will support continued development of the technology, alongside collaboration with CPI’s HealthTech team to advance the next generation of the handheld device. This includes enhancing measurement accuracy and spatial resolution while maintaining speed and usability, helping to drive early adoption and commercial growth.

This investment reflects CPI Enterprises’ role in supporting the development and scale-up of deep tech innovations that address critical challenges in healthcare and strengthen the UK’s life sciences ecosystem.

Frank Millar, CEO of CPI, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Verinnogen to CPI Enterprises’ portfolio. This is exactly the kind of high-potential, mission-driven innovation we exist to support.

“At CPI, we work alongside pioneering companies to de-risk development and accelerate the path from breakthrough science to real-world impact. Verinnogen’s technology has the potential to significantly improve the quality and reliability of pre-clinical oncology research, ultimately supporting faster development of new treatments for patients.

“Through our combined investment and technical collaboration, we look forward to helping the team scale their technology, unlock early commercial opportunities, and contribute to a stronger, more innovative UK life sciences sector.”

Dr Isaac Johnson, CEO, Director and co-founder of Verinnogen, said

“Improving the accuracy and consistency of tumour measurement is critical not only for data quality but also for reducing inefficiencies and unnecessary repeat studies in preclinical research. CPI’s support brings both funding, delivered through a government-backed innovation initiative, and deep technical expertise at an important stage in our development. By working together, we’re accelerating progress towards establishing a reliable and reproducible standard for tumour measurement, benefiting both research outcomes and resource use across the sector.”

Dave Wilkes, Director – Innovation Ecosystem at Innovate UK, said:

“This investment forms part of a broader initiative led by Innovate UK and the Catapult Network. This approach to capital deployment strengthens the Catapults’ ability to back early-stage companies developing disruptive technologies. By supporting high-potential businesses and connecting them with the right expertise, partners and infrastructure, we’re helping to maximise their chances of scaling successfully, translating innovation into commercial growth that contributes to a stronger UK economy.’’