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Lead Health

Category: AI in Healthcare

Lead Health is an AI-driven life science instrumentation company that develops high-end automated systems for single-cell multi-omics, bio-manufacturing, and intelligent diagnostics by integrating microfluidics with advanced AI algorithms. Lead Health was founded in 2023. The company is led by Zhang Feng. Based in Guangzhou, China. Team size: 100+. Total funding raised: $18.0M+. Latest round: Pre-A round (Tens of millions CNY, Jan 2026). Key investors include Jia Dao Capital (嘉道资本), Qi Ji Investment (齐济投资), CAS Star (中科创星), Juke Emerging Industry Venture Capital (聚科新兴产业创投), Jianshi Capital (见识资本), Kyushu Xinnuo (九州鑫诺).

Founded
2023
Headquarters
Guangzhou, China
Team size
100+
Total funding
$18.0M+

Value proposition

Reduces experimental noise and improves data quality through proprietary 'Active Selection' droplet technology while providing a unified, AI-integrated platform for complex biological analysis.

Products and solutions

Active Single-cell Sequencing System (Active-droplet selection for high-quality multi-omics), High-throughput AI Imaging Flow Cytometer (Morphological and mechanical analysis), iCell Single-cell Multi-omics System (Transcriptomics/Spatial transcriptomics), High-throughput Microfluidic Droplet Sorting System (Antibody screening and synthetic biology), Automated Cell Culture & Preparation System (CGT automation), Full-stack Bio-manufacturing Equipment (Protein purification and microfluidic chip systems)

Unique value

Unlike passive droplet systems, Lead Health utilizes 'Active Selection' technology to filter out free RNA and cell debris in real-time, significantly increasing the accuracy of rare cell analysis.

Target customer

Research institutes, pharmaceutical companies (antibody screening/drug R&D), clinical diagnostic labs, and Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) developers.

Industries served

Life Sciences Research, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Precision Medicine, Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT), Synthetic Biology

Technology advantage

A 'Platform-based' R&D model where ~80% of core technologies, components, and modules are shared across 10+ different product lines, allowing for rapid expansion and lower manufacturing costs. The leadership combines Huawei-style R&D management with top-tier scientific expertise from the Guangzhou National Laboratory.

How they differentiate

Lead Health utilizes proprietary 'Active Selection' droplet technology to filter out free RNA and cell debris in real-time before encapsulation, whereas competitors mostly rely on passive droplet systems. Their 'Platform-based' R&D model shares ~80% of core technology modules across 10+ product lines, significantly reducing development costs and time-to-market.

Main competitors

10x Genomics, Singleron (新格元), MGI Tech (华大智造)

Key partnerships

Guangzhou National Laboratory (Scientific origin and research collaboration), iCell Co-creation Program (Strategic collaboration with 100+ spatial and 500+ single-cell project partners), ETH Zurich (Scientific advisory via co-founder/CTO Cao Xiaobao)

Notable customers

Guangzhou National Laboratory, iCell Co-creation Program Partners (500+ projects), ETH Zurich (Research Collaboration)

Major milestones

Founded in 2023 as a benchmark spin-off of the Guangzhou National Laboratory, Launched 10+ core product lines including AI imaging flow cytometers and single-cell multi-omics systems, Successfully closed Angel round (~100M CNY) in May 2024, Established iCell Co-creation Program for spatial and single-cell transcriptomics

Growth metrics

Maintains a 100+ member R&D team and has established several thousand square meters of innovation laboratory space within two years of founding.

Market positioning

High-end life science instrumentation challenger focused on 'intelligent' domestic substitution for single-cell and multi-omics analysis.

Geographic focus

China (Primary), with global expansion targets through academic collaborations in Europe (e.g., ETH Zurich).

Patents and IP

Holds multiple domestic and PCT international patents specifically covering active microfluidic control and AI-based biological image recognition.

About Zhang Feng

Zhang Feng is an industry veteran with extensive experience in R&D and medical instrumentation. He previously served as an R&D Director at Huawei and was a medical device technical expert at United Imaging Healthcare (联影医疗). He is a continuous entrepreneur in the life sciences and medical technology sectors, leading Lead Health to commercialize high-end scientific instruments.

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