Upfront clinches $4.3m to advance stroke test in UK, US and elsewhere

The round was led by Phoenix Investments with participation from Cambridge Enterprise Ventures. The company received non-dilutive funding from SBRI Healthcare as part of the round. 

LVOne is a proprietary fingerstick blood test designed to diagnose strokes rapidly and accurately anywhere. It measures two biomarkers, GFAP and D-dimer, in just a few minutes. Upfront says the test has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling faster treatment decisions and reducing the risk of long-term disability.

It says the financial haul will not only initiate commercialisation of LVOne in the UK and Europe but also support regulatory approval precesses in the US and expand Upront’s R & D capabilities.

CEO, Gonzalo Ladreda said: "This funding round is a significant milestone for Upfront. It will enable us to bring LVOne to market and make a real difference in the lives of stroke patients. We are grateful for the support of our investors and partners, and we look forward to continuing our mission to improve stroke diagnosis and treatment."

Chair, Dr Tito Bacarese added: "The perseverance and innovative spirit demonstrated by Upfront's team have been instrumental in securing this funding. This achievement is a testament to their unwavering dedication to revolutionising the diagnostics landscape by providing elegant solutions for complex conditions. 

“We are grateful to have the backing of a prestigious group like Phoenix Investments, whose support will enable Upfront to impact thousands of lives.”