Future Tech Ventures (FTV) is investing in Dutch medtech startup SPCTR, which is developing a real-time AI device to assess tumor margins during surgery. This enables surgeons to immediately determine whether a tumor has been completely removed, helping to prevent repeat surgeries and additional treatments while improving the quality of care. Initially, the technology is focused on breast cancer. The investment coincides with a major clinical milestone: the inclusion of the first patient in the SPCTR-I study at the Breast Center Groningen. In addition, UMC Utrecht (UMCU) is a second inclusion site for this study.
“The problem in oncological surgery is that it often takes days to determine whether a tumor has been completely removed. With our device, the surgeon can assess during the operation whether there is sufficient healthy tissue surrounding the tumor,” says Rowan Timmermans, CTO and co-founder of SPCTR. The device operates using light and imaging and employs an AI model that creates an “optical fingerprint” of the tissue. Unlike existing solutions, no additional healthcare staff—such as a pathologist or radiologist—are required for interpretation in the operating room, and no contrast agents or other substances need to be injected. With this, SPCTR introduces a completely new, non-invasive method of intraoperative margin analysis.
FTV’s investment will be used over the coming months to further develop the startup, which was founded in March 2025. Wido Heeman, CEO and founder of SPCTR, explains: “We are using this investment from FTV for three core activities: clinical validation of prototypes, certification of the device, and preparing it for market launch.”
The start of the SPCTR-I study last week, with the first patient enrolled at the Breast Center Groningen and parallel inclusion at UMC Utrecht (UMCU), marks the transition from preclinical development to actual application in clinical practice. In addition to FTV, a number of angel investors are participating in this funding round.
Hilbrand van der Zee, investment manager at FTV, says: “We are investing in SPCTR with confidence. The strength of this innovation lies in its simplicity: a proven technique in a new form, combined with AI. The team connects clinical expertise with advanced technology, exactly the kind of innovation we like to accelerate.”
“The most important thing is the trust we receive from investors, surgeons, and patients,” Timmermans and Heeman emphasize. “The first patient data shows that this technology is ready for the next step: clinical impact in hospitals!”
The SPCTR team consists of seven people, including two interns, combining clinical experience with AI and software expertise. In the coming years, the team aims to implement the technology in multiple hospitals and expand to other solid tumors. “Our goal is to prevent as many repeat surgeries as possible and improve the quality of treatment for patients. We will start in Europe and then expand to the US and other regions,” says Heeman.
De investering van FTV zal de komende maanden gebruikt worden om de startup, opgericht in maart 2025, verder te ontwikkelen. Wido Heeman, CEO en founder van SPCTR: “We gebruiken deze investering van FTV voor drie kernactiviteiten: klinische validatie van prototypes, certificering van het apparaat en het productieklaar maken voor marktintroductie.” De start van de SPCTR-I studie vorige week, met de eerste geïncludeerde patiënt in het Borstcentrum Groningen en parallelle inclusie in het UMCU, markeert de overgang van preklinische ontwikkeling naar daadwerkelijke toepassing in de klinische praktijk. Naast FTV participeren een aantal angel-investeerders in deze investeringsronde.
Hilbrand van der Zee, investeringsmanager van FTV: "We investeren met vertrouwen in SPCTR. De kracht van deze innovatie zit in de eenvoud: een beproefde techniek in een nieuwe jas, gecombineerd met AI. Het team koppelt klinische expertise aan geavanceerde technologie, precies het soort innovatie dat wij graag versnellen."
"Het belangrijkste is het vertrouwen dat we krijgen van investeerders, chirurgen en patiënten," benadrukken Timmermans en Heeman. “De eerste patiënt data laat zien dat deze technologie klaar is voor de volgende stap: klinische impact in ziekenhuizen!”
Het SPCTR-team bestaat uit zeven personen, inclusief twee stagiaires, met een mix van klinische ervaring en AI- en software-expertise. In de komende jaren wil het team de technologie in meerdere ziekenhuizen implementeren en uitbreiden naar andere solide tumoren. "Ons doel is zoveel mogelijk heroperaties te voorkomen en de behandelkwaliteit voor patiënten te verbeteren. We beginnen in Europa en breiden daarna uit naar de VS en andere regio's," aldus Heeman.
Artikel: Future Tech Ventures
Afbeelding: Casper Maas
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A much-loved tradition The Campus Trail has become a much-loved tradition on campus. Students, employees and professionals from companies and organisations across the campus ecosystem lace up their running shoes for a sporty 6.4-kilometre route through buildings and past some of the campus’s unique labs. The rapid growth in registrations shows just how much the Campus Trail has become part of the campus community. The combination of sport, meeting others and the unique campus setting makes the run a great opportunity to connect with people outside the usual work and study environment. And there’s no need to head home as soon as you cross the finish line. During the after-party, hosted by Contini Catering, participants can relax together, enjoy a drink and celebrate the afternoon. There’s still time to join: those who want to take part can register online until 3 September, or sign up on the day itself using the PIN Campus Trail 2026 | Campus Groningen.
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