SpectaCell launches with €6 million to transform drug development and bring better immune therapies to patients faster
New cell analysis platform helps developers understand how treatments perform, enabling earlier decisions and a more efficient path from research to manufacturing and patients.
Ghent and Leiden, 8 October 2026 - SpectaCell, a new company spun out of imec, VIB and Ghent University, today announced its official launch with €6 million in seed financing. The international round was led by imec.xpand, with participation from PMV’s Flanders Future Tech Fund, InnovationQuarter Capital, Qbic and VIB.
Immunotherapies are redefining the future of medicine, opening new ways to treat cancer and diseases of the immune system. Yet predicting which candidates will work in patients and producing them consistently remain major challenges. Developers need a clearer view of what a treatment actually does, earlier in the process. Slow, fragmented testing can leave critical gaps in that understanding and delay decisions while patients wait.
SpectaCell is tackling these testing bottlenecks with a next-generation cell analysis platform that measures how treatments affect individual cells. Applications include cell therapies and T-cell engagers that help immune cells recognize and attack cancer cells. The financing will fund further development and commercialisation of the platform with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.
“Breakthrough medicines need breakthrough tools”, said Tony Montoye, CEO and co-founder of SpectaCell. “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.”
“SpectaCell brings together disruptive semiconductor technology, an experienced team and a major commercial opportunity in drug development and manufacturing”, said Benoit Devogelaere, Partner at imec.xpand. “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.”
Tackling a critical blind spot in drug development
Developers of new immune therapies need to understand what happens when a treatment meets its target: does it kill a cancer cell, for example, and how do individual cells respond? Many existing tests provide only part of that picture because they measure indirect signals or averages across a sample. Important differences between cells can disappear in those averages.
SpectaCell combines chip-based imaging with data analysis to track large numbers of individual cells and their interactions directly, at high resolution and over time. The technology does not require fluorescent labels that can interfere with cell behaviour. The company is developing an easy-to-use, cartridge-based instrument designed to deliver these insights in hours rather than days.
A global ambition: one platform from discovery to manufacturing
SpectaCell is targeting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and specialist manufacturers worldwide. The company is developing a single platform for use from early research and process development through to routine manufacturing quality checks. It will enable researchers to compare drug candidates, development teams to improve production processes, and manufacturers to assess whether each batch meets the required performance standards.
A common measurement method connects results across teams, sites and stages, rather than leaving them isolated in separate workflows. This approach is designed to reduce testing delays, lower development and manufacturing costs and carry insights forward as a medicine progresses. SpectaCell’s ambition is to set a new industry standard across multiple types of therapy, building a global business around an essential, recurring need.
Built on years of research and industry experience
SpectaCell builds on years of research at imec, VIB and Ghent University, combining semiconductor technology with biological and clinical expertise. Its Belgian-Dutch investor syndicate provides capital, strategic support and access to leading, vibrant life sciences hubs in both countries to support international growth.
The founding team consists of Tony Montoye, Veronique De Vroey, Mathieu Rabaey and Jan Van de Velde. It brings experience in technology development, biotechnology, data analysis and business development. Team members have held roles at VIB, Trinean, Unchained Labs, CellCarta, Comate, Biocartis, Tibotec-Virco, Johnson & Johnson and Galapagos.
About SpectaCell
SpectaCell is a Belgian life sciences company developing a next-generation cell analysis platform for drug development and manufacturing. Its proprietary technology combines digital imaging and data analysis to measure how treatments affect individual cells. Originating from research at imec, VIB and Ghent University, SpectaCell is developing its platform for immunotherapies including cell therapies, T-cell engagers and other advanced medicines. Its mission is to enable biopharma to develop better medicines faster and more efficiently, accelerating their path to patients.
About VIB
VIB is a leading life sciences research institute based in Belgium, operating in close partnership with the Flemish universities and renowned for its work in medical sciences, plant biology, microbiology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. VIB's mission is to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, transform it into disruptive biotech innovations and support the growth of the life sciences ecosystem in Belgium and beyond.
VIB drives the translation of research discoveries into innovative products and technologies for patients and society. It does so by launching new spin-offs, licensing intellectual property to companies, engaging in dynamic partnerships and fostering talent development. VIB has created >40 spin-offs in the healthcare and agrifood sectors, attracting more than €2 billion in equity investment and has partnered intensely with industry, generating approximately €500 million in income. VIB’s research has led to dozens of innovative products brought to market for medical, agriculture, and food applications, with many more in development. Nine of its spin-off companies have reached the clinical stage.
About imec
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation hub in advanced semiconductor technologies. Leveraging its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and the expertise of over 6,500 employees, imec drives innovation in semiconductor and system scaling, artificial intelligence, silicon photonics, connectivity, and sensing.
Imec’s advanced research powers breakthroughs across a wide range of industries, including computing, health, automotive, industry, consumer electronics, aerospace and security. Through IC-Link, imec guides companies through every step of the chip journey - from initial concept to full-scale manufacturing - delivering customized solutions tailored to meet the most advanced design and production needs.
Imec collaborates with global leaders across the semiconductor value chain, as well as with technology companies, start-ups, academia, and research institutions in Flanders and worldwide. Headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, imec has research facilities in Belgium, across Europe, the USA and the GCC region, and representation on three continents. In 2025, imec reported revenues of €1.2 billion.
About imec.xpand
imec.xpand is one of the world’s largest independent venture capital funds dedicated to early-stage semiconductor innovation. It targets ambitious deeptech start-ups where the knowledge, expertise and infrastructure of imec, the world-renowned semiconductor and nanotechnology R&D center, can play a determining role in their growth. imec.xpand has an outspoken international mindset towards building disruptive global companies and strongly believes that sufficient funding from the start is key to future success.
About Flanders Future Tech Fund
The Flanders Future Tech Fund is an early-stage fund, managed by the Flemish investment company PMV, which aims to meet the funding needs of early-stage technology initiatives from research centers, universities and private parties alike. Through its investments, the FFTF aims to contribute to the financing of the further development and commercialisation of technology developed in Flanders or, which can create value for the Flemish economy. The Flanders Future Tech Fund has a fund size of 250 million euros.
About InnovationQuarter Capital
InnovationQuarter Capital (€143 million) strategically invests in disruptive startups and scale-ups with high technological risk. We focus on innovative industries in Zuid-Holland, including the key sectors Energy & Chemistry, Digital Technology & Cybersecurity, High-Tech Systems & Aerospace, Maritime & Harbour, Horticulture & Food and Life Sciences & Health. Our focus is on companies led by strong management teams with clear growth trajectories. As patient investors, we prioritize sustainable development and strategic progress, combining societal impact with financial returns.
About Qbic
Qbic is a sector-agnostic seed and early-stage venture capital fund, focusing on creating impact through the transformation of technological breakthroughs into sustainable business. The fund’s goal is to support young innovative companies that valorize research from Qbic's knowledge partners. The fund typically participates in the first external investment round of a company and continues to support and invest in these companies throughout their growth. Across three funds, Qbic has close to € 200 million in AUM. This operation benefits from the support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund. For more information, please visit www.qbic.be.
Kristof Windels
