University of Liverpool AI diagnostic technology spin-out AI-Sight said it concluded a seven-figure equity funding round from healthcare industry figures and investors.

The funders include Sir Michael Bibby, Phil Kirby, Pitalia Capital and Deepbridge Capital.

This funding round follows the Class 1 medical device certification of AI-Sight’s first commercial product. The AI software device is designed to support training and diagnostic decision-making by human graders of diabetic retinopathy in retinal scans.

AI-Sight has signed a research collaboration agreement with the UK’s largest specialist provider of diagnostic and healthcare solutions, the InHealth Group. InHealth has been working closely with the NHS for over thirty years.

The collaboration between InHealth, AI-Sight and the University of Liverpool will allow further clinical studies for AI-Sight’s unique AI diagnostic technology.

Diabetes causes damage to small blood vessels in organs throughout the body, including the eye (diabetic retinopathy), resulting in vision loss and ultimately, blindness. With over 500 million people worldwide suffering from diabetes and 40% of those having diabetic retinopathy, this is the most common cause of blindness in working age people worldwide.