Ghent-based startup SpectaCell has officially launched with €6 million in Seed funding. The company develops advanced tools to analyse cell therapies and was spun out of imec, VIB, and Ghent University.
The funding round was led by imec.xpand, with participation from PMV’s Flanders Future Tech Fund, InnovationQuarter Capital, Qbic, and VIB.
Tony Montoye, CEO and co-founder of SpectaCell, said, “Breakthrough medicines need breakthrough tools. Researchers need to know much earlier which candidates deserve further investment and why. We are building a new standard in cell analysis: detailed insight, results within hours and a simple workflow that connects research with manufacturing.
“Together with our biopharma partners, we will turn that vision into a platform for developing better treatments more efficiently. And ultimately, that is what we want to make possible for patients: better medicines, sooner.”
Benoit Devogelaere, Partner at imec.xpand, said, “SpectaCell brings together disruptive semiconductor technology, an experienced team and a major commercial opportunity in drug development and manufacturing.
“We are convinced that SpectaCell can become essential to how new medicines are selected, developed and produced. With applications across cell therapies, T-cell engagers and other advanced treatments, we see the potential to set a new industry standard and build a globally competitive life-sciences business. We are proud to lead this round and back that ambition.”
Founded in 2026 by Mathieu Rabaey, Veronique De Vroey, Jan Van de Velde, and Tony Montoye, SpectaCell is a Belgian life sciences startup. The company is developing an advanced cell analysis platform to support drug development and manufacturing.
SpectaCell’s technology combines digital imaging with data analysis to study individual cells. It helps researchers understand how cells respond to different treatments, giving them clearer insights into how potential therapies work.
The company says immunotherapies are creating new ways to treat cancer and diseases affecting the immune system. However, researchers still face challenges in predicting which treatments will work in patients and ensuring they can be produced consistently.
SpectaCell aims to address these challenges by helping developers understand how treatments affect cells earlier in the development process. Traditional testing can be slow and fragmented, leaving important questions unanswered and delaying decisions about potential treatments.
