Millions suffer yearly from heart conditions that go undetected, either undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or identified too late for effective treatment. Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) and cardiac amyloidosis are hazardous, often confused with common issues or completely missed. The statistics are alarming: up to 64% of HFpEF cases remain undetected, while cardiac amyloidosis frequently goes unrecognised until life-threatening symptoms develop.
To tackle this challenge, Ultromics, an AI health technology startup from Oxford, has raised $55 million in Series C funding to enhance its innovative EchoGo® platform. Lightrock, L&G, and Allegis Capital led the funding round, with support from respected healthcare investors including Oxford Science Enterprises, GV, Blue Venture Fund, Oxford University, UPMC Enterprises, and University of Chicago Medicine.
Vision born of experience, shaped by urgency
For founder Dr. Ross Upton, Ultromics’ mission is both personal and professional. During his doctoral studies at Oxford, Upton witnessed the devastating human and medical impact of missed heart failure diagnoses: conditions that could be identified if subtle echocardiography clues were interpreted more accurately. This inspired him to apply advanced machine learning to detect what even leading experts might miss, enabling earlier intervention and saving lives.
Building on this vision, Ultromics has built a team focused on closing major diagnostic gaps in cardiology. Their approach centres on creating scalable, AI-powered solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing clinical workflows without requiring additional hardware. They aim to make cutting-edge cardiology tools widely accessible, not limited to specialised centres.
Behind Ultromics: Transforming data into lifesaving insights
Ultromics’ flagship AI diagnostics platform, EchoGo®, demonstrates the power of advanced analysis. While traditional methods struggle with variability and miss subtle disease indicators, EchoGo® analyses routine echocardiograms using one of the world’s largest real-world collections, over 430,000 scans. The platform delivers immediate, measurable probability scores that help identify early signs of HFpEF and cardiac amyloidosis.
As the first FDA-approved and fully Medicare-reimbursed AI system for these types of heart failure, EchoGo® bridges the gap between clinical promise and practical application. In rigorous studies, it boosted HFpEF detection by over 70% compared to conventional risk scores. Its amyloidosis diagnostic tool, recently designated as a Breakthrough Device and validated across 18 leading institutions, outperforms traditional clinical methods in both accuracy and disease discrimination.
Developed with global experts, including the NHS and Mayo Clinic, EchoGo® has established strong credibility and reach. Clinical studies published in prestigious journals like the European Heart Journal confirm its safety and effectiveness.
What’s next? Rapid expansion and deepening impact
With fresh funding, Ultromics is expanding nationwide, with particular focus on the US Midwest and other strategic regions. Current partnerships include the University of Chicago Medicine, UPMC, University Hospitals Cleveland, and Northwestern University. This regional growth approach is accelerating both clinical and commercial progress.
Ultromics’ vision extends beyond heart failure. The company is actively expanding its product offerings to address more cardiac conditions, developing new distribution channels, and strengthening partnerships with healthcare organisations. Their goals go beyond early detection—they aim to help hospitals streamline workflows, reduce unnecessary testing, and ensure timely, accurate interventions, ultimately cutting costs for strained healthcare systems.
Founder Ross Upton explains, “Hospitals already possess the data; they just lack the tools to unlock its full diagnostic potential.” Ultromics is changing this reality by integrating advanced AI into clinicians’ daily practice to address cardiology’s most persistent diagnostic challenges, improving patient outcomes and raising care standards worldwide.
