Lightcast Discovery: Transforming Single-Cell Analysis for the Future of Biotechnology
The biotechnology sector is undergoing a revolution, with new tools and platforms enabling researchers to investigate biological processes at an unprecedented level of detail. At the heart of this transformation lies Lightcast Discovery, a Cambridge-based biotechnology research company that has redefined how single-cell analysis can be performed. Unlike conventional microfluidic systems, the Lightcast platform leverages a novel droplet-based approach, enabling scientists to profile cells individually while maintaining precise control over every step of the process.
By offering scalability, flexibility, and enhanced accuracy, Lightcast Discovery is rapidly positioning itself as a leader in biotechnology research. Its solutions are not only fuelling fundamental biological insights but also accelerating drug discovery and the development of applied biologics.
The Origins of Lightcast Discovery
Founded with a Vision
Lightcast Discovery Ltd was founded in 2019, with its headquarters located in the Broers Building, Hauser Forum, 21 JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, United Kingdom. The company began with a bold vision: to address the limitations of existing microfluidic methods by creating a platform that could track and manipulate droplets with greater precision.
From the outset, the company combined expertise in microfluidics, optical technologies, and biotechnology, resulting in a unique platform that is already making waves in academic and industrial research.
Growth and Team Size
In just a few short years, Lightcast Discovery has grown to a medium-sized enterprise, employing between 51 and 200 people. According to LinkedIn data, more than 115 professionals are currently associated with the company. This growth demonstrates both the demand for its technology and the confidence investors and collaborators have placed in its mission.
The Lightcast Discovery Platform
How It Works
At the centre of Lightcast Discovery’s innovation is its droplet-based single-cell functional analysis platform. Using light to manipulate tiny droplets of liquid, the system provides precise control over the number, occupancy, location, and movement of each droplet. This unprecedented control offers researchers the ability to carry out complex assays that were previously unachievable.
Overcoming Microfluidic Limitations
Traditional microfluidic techniques are often limited by stochastic distribution, leading to wasted resources and less reliable outcomes. Lightcast Discovery addresses this problem directly. By ensuring that droplets are organised, tracked, and moved intentionally, the platform allows scientists to obtain deeper insights into cellular function without the inefficiencies of conventional methods.
Applications Across Biotechnology
The technology has significant applications, including:
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Drug Development: Profiling how individual cells respond to candidate compounds.
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Biologics Discovery: Streamlining workflows for antibody discovery and immunotherapy research.
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Basic Research: Understanding fundamental processes such as secretion, immune interactions, and targeted cell killing.
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Translational Biology: Providing scalable and reliable assays that accelerate the transition from research to clinical applications.
Specialties and Core Strengths
Single-Cell Profiling
Lightcast Discovery’s flagship strength lies in profiling function, cell by cell. This capability is particularly important for uncovering heterogeneity within cell populations—an area of growing importance in cancer research, immunology, and regenerative medicine.
Scalability and Flexibility
The platform offers unprecedented scalability, enabling thousands of assays to be run in parallel. Its flexibility allows researchers to customise their workflows, combining multiple assays in a sequential manner.
Precision and Traceability
Every droplet is tracked with accuracy, providing researchers with confidence in their results. The ability to control occupancy and movement means that outcomes can be reproduced consistently across experiments.
Company Information at a Glance
To provide a quick overview, here are the essential details about Lightcast Discovery:
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Website: https://www.lightcast.bio
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Phone: +44 1223 362778
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Headquarters: Cambridge, England, located at JJ Thomson Avenue, CB3 0FA
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Founded: 2019
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Industry: Biotechnology Research
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Specialties: Single-cell analysis, droplet microfluidics, functional assays, drug discovery support
Funding and Growth Trajectory
Since its establishment, Lightcast Discovery has attracted significant attention from investors and the scientific community. In 2023, the company announced a $49 million (£38 million) Series B funding round, led by M Ventures and supported by investors such as ARCH Venture Partners and Illumina Ventures. This funding has allowed Lightcast to expand its operations both in the UK and the United States, including a new office in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The funding has also supported the limited commercial release of Envisia™, Lightcast’s benchtop platform for high-throughput single-cell assays, which debuted at the PEGS Boston Summit in May 2025.
Lightcast Discovery in the Biotechnology Landscape
Competitors and Differentiators
In the competitive space of single-cell analysis, companies such as 10x Genomics, Berkeley Lights, and Sphere Fluidics have developed their own solutions. However, Lightcast Discovery differentiates itself through:
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Optical Electrowetting Technology (oEWOD): Enabling precise droplet control.
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Sequential Assay Capability: Allowing multiple experiments on the same cell population.
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Enhanced Scalability: Running thousands of assays simultaneously without compromising quality.
These advantages make Lightcast a unique player with the potential to set new industry standards.
Scientific Contributions
In 2025, the company published its first peer-reviewed scientific paper in Lab on a Chip, highlighting the technical details of its droplet-based approach. This publication solidified Lightcast Discovery’s credibility within the scientific community.
Future Outlook
The future looks bright for Lightcast Discovery. With continued investment, growing collaborations, and increasing adoption of its Envisia platform, the company is well-positioned to transform single-cell research. Its commitment to streamlining workflows for drugs and biologics ensures that it will remain a vital partner for pharmaceutical companies, academic researchers, and healthcare innovators.
Looking forward, Lightcast aims to expand the use of its platform into broader therapeutic areas, including personalised medicine, where understanding the behaviour of individual cells will be crucial.
Conclusion
Lightcast Discovery represents the cutting edge of biotechnology research, combining innovation, precision, and scalability in single-cell functional analysis. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Cambridge, England, the company has grown rapidly thanks to its unique droplet-based technology. With its Envisia platform now entering commercial release, Lightcast is poised to play a central role in the next era of drug discovery, immunology, and translational biology.
