PocDoc
Overview
PocDoc is a Cambridge-based health-tech company specializing in smartphone-based diagnostics for cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal diseases. The company, founded in 2017 by Steve Roest, Kiran Roest, and Vladimir Gubala, aims to democratize access to rapid diagnostic testing through its innovative platform. Over its tenure, PocDoc has raised over £10 million, demonstrating significant traction with both the NHS and various private sector partners. PocDoc is noted for its unique proprietary diagnostic technology that integrates seamlessly with its digital health platform.
Recent Developments
- November 2024: PocDoc raised €5.9 million in a pre-A funding round, the largest for a UK digital diagnostics startup at this stage, with investments from MMC Ventures, Molten VC, and Simplyhealth Ventures. This funding is earmarked for scaling its technology and expanding internationally, aligning with the NHS's strategic shift towards digital home care.
- June 2024: PocDoc launched an updated feature for its cardiovascular test kits, which integrates with NHS health records, allowing patients to easily share test results and access personalized treatment pathways directly from the PocDoc app.
- Spring 2024: PocDoc's cholesterol test received a CA mark, allowing widespread use within the UK. It aims to address significant health issues such as cardiovascular disease by providing rapid, accurate testing through a simple smartphone interface.
- January 2024: PocDoc partnered with Pharmacy2U, launching a digital heart health check for the over-40s demographic, aiming to alleviate NHS pressures through home-health initiatives.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Cambridge, UK |
| Founders | Steve Roest, Kiran Roest, Vladimir Gubala |
| Industry | Digital Health, Diagnostics |
| Key Investors | MMC Ventures, Molten VC, Simplyhealth Ventures |
| Number of Employees | 29 |
Early History
PocDoc was established in 2017 by a team with deep backgrounds in life sciences, diagnostics, and healthcare innovation. The company's genesis emerged from a recognized need to make blood testing and health diagnostics more accessible and convenient. Originally focused on creating an app-based COVID-19 screening service, PocDoc quickly transitioned to broader diagnostic applications, utilizing smartphone technology for capturing and analyzing biometric data.
Company Profile and Achievements
PocDoc has distinguished itself by integrating advanced AI diagnostics with user-friendly health applications. It has developed a series of remote diagnostic tests, notably its cardiovascular screening tools that provide near-instant results on a user’s smartphone. Key milestones include:
- 2021: Awarded multiple Innovate UK grants and expanding its partnership network to include major healthcare providers like the NHS and Pharmacy2U.
- 2022: Achieved significant media spotlight after launching its smartphone-based blood testing technology, which enables rapid and accurate health assessments.
- 2023: Increased market presence through partnerships and technological advancements including the integration of its systems with NHS digital operations, allowing seamless access to NHS resources and patient records.
Current Operations and Market Position
Currently, PocDoc operates predominantly in the UK, focusing on making healthcare more accessible through digital means. Its market position is strengthened by partnerships with leading healthcare providers and pharmacies. The technology's appeal lies in its potential to reduce NHS burdens by shifting diagnostics from clinics to homes, thus facilitating early detection and treatment. PocDoc is seen as a disruptor within the healthcare diagnostics sector, with its technology significantly reducing wait times and offering a scalable, cost-effective solution for chronic disease management.
PocDoc Lipid Test
PocDoc's lipid test is an innovative solution that offers a full five-marker lipid panel test via smartphone. This enables users to monitor cardiovascular health through a simple fingerprick blood sample, analyzed by PocDoc's proprietary app. The test provides instant results and a health assessment report, which is integral to its strategy of integrating home diagnostics with the NHS to streamline healthcare delivery.
PocDoc App
The PocDoc app is central to the company's mission to democratize health diagnostics. It guides users through health assessments and diagnoses, effectively utilizing smartphone capabilities to facilitate rapid testing from the comfort of one's home. This technology is not only pivotal to individual health management but also to reducing systemic healthcare burdens.
Conclusion
PocDoc serves as a paradigm shift in healthcare diagnostics, integrating rapid testing capabilities with digital health management to address some of today’s most pressing health challenges. It is well-positioned to expand its footprint both in the UK and internationally through strategic partnerships and continuous innovation in digital diagnostics. PocDoc’s methodology of leveraging technology for improved healthcare access illustrates its potential to significantly influence the healthcare landscape, providing scalable solutions to chronic healthcare issues.