Leuko
Overview
Leuko is a Boston-based medical technology startup founded in 2014 as a spinout from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Madrid M+Vision Consortium. The company is known for developing PointCheck™, a non-invasive device that measures white blood cell levels, primarily catering to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The company was co-founded by Carlos Castro-Gonzalez, Ian Butterworth, Aurelien Bourquard, and Alvaro Sanchez-Ferro. As of 2025, Leuko has raised significant funding through multiple rounds, including a $5 million Series A, to validate and bring its technology to market.
Recent Developments
- 2025: Leuko received a $4.5 million SBIR Phase IIB award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the development of PointCheck4.
- 2024: A pivotal study for FDA approval of PointCheck is underway, with promising results from home usability studies, demonstrating its potential impact on reducing chemotherapy-related hospital admissions7.
- Late 2023: Leuko closed a Series A funding round, raising €5 million, which was also aimed at accelerating clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approvals8.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Boston, MA, United States |
| Founders | Carlos Castro-Gonzalez, Ian Butterworth, Aurelien Bourquard, Alvaro Sanchez-Ferro |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | HTH VC, Good Growth Capital, IAG Capital Partners, Nina Capital |
| Industry | Health Technology, Medical Devices |
| Number of Employees | 14 |
Early History
Leuko was born from the MIT and the Madrid–MIT M+Vision Consortium, where its founders, including key figure Carlos Castro-Gonzalez, were involved in a biomedical technology initiative. Inspired by personal experiences with friends undergoing chemotherapy, the founding team developed PointCheck™ to address the unmet medical need of monitoring white blood cell (WBC) levels in cancer patients. This device provides a non-invasive method to measure WBC at home, aiming to improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier intervention when WBC counts are low.
Company Profile and Achievements
Leuko pioneered the PointCheck™, a non-invasive monitoring device that uses light technology and AI to analyze WBC levels. This allows for remote patient monitoring without the need for blood samples, crucial for patients with weakened immune systems due to chemotherapy. Key achievements include:
- Development Milestones: Successful completion of multiple clinical validation studies demonstrating the efficacy and usability of their technology.
- Fundraising Success: Closed a $5 million Series A funding in late 2022 to support clinical trials and regulatory processes.
- Regulatory and Clinical Partnerships: Establishment of collaborations with major cancer centers like Boston Medical Center and MD Anderson6.
Current Operations and Market Position
Leuko is actively conducting trials for its PointCheck device to secure FDA approval, which has shown strong potential to cut hospital admissions by 50% and save over $6 billion annually in healthcare costs. The company's device has proven home usability and diagnostic accuracy, making it a leading innovation in non-invasive medical monitoring technologies. Positioned in the health technology sector, Leuko continues to focus on expanding its capabilities, exploring the potential of its technology for other hematologic conditions3.
Conclusion
Leuko stands at the forefront of non-invasive medical technology innovation with its PointCheck device, aiming to revolutionize how white blood cell levels are monitored in immunocompromised patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy. Supported by strong technical validation and strategic partnerships, Leuko is poised to make significant contributions to healthcare technologies by improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. The company's continued growth and innovation are set to not only impact oncology care but potentially extend into other areas of medical diagnostics.