DeepUll

High-Level Overview

Deepull is a Barcelona-based medical diagnostics company developing the UllCORE system, a fully automated, culture-free diagnostic platform that delivers 50-52 reportable results for sepsis-causing pathogens and antibiotic resistance markers directly from whole blood in about 1 hour.[1][2][3] Targeting 95% of sepsis pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and resistance genes, it empowers hospital labs to provide faster results than traditional blood cultures, addressing a critical gap in early sepsis detection where timely diagnosis can reduce morbidity and mortality.[1][2][3] Founded in 2019-2020 and now at Series C stage, Deepull has raised over $100M total (including a €50M/$57M oversubscribed round in April 2025), serving hospitals and clinical labs with a benchtop analyzer featuring continuous loading for up to 8 samples, room-temperature reagents, and LIS connectivity.[2][3][4]

Origin Story

Deepull was founded in 2019 (per CB Insights) or 2020 (per company statements) in Barcelona, Spain, by the team behind STAT-Dx, a prior diagnostics venture sold to QIAGEN in 2018.[2][3][4] This experienced founding group leveraged their expertise in rapid molecular diagnostics to tackle sepsis, a life-threatening condition hard to diagnose due to dysregulated host responses to infection.[1] Early traction included seed funding of €3.5M in 2020 from investors like Alta Life Sciences and Kurma Partners, followed by Series A (€13M in 2022) and B rounds, building toward clinical validation.[4] Pivotal moments include FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the UllCORE Bloodstream Infection Test in December 2024, enabling streamlined regulatory interactions, and recent €50M Series C in April 2025 to finalize studies and approvals.[2][3]

Core Differentiators

• Speed and Comprehensiveness: Delivers results in ~1 hour from 0.1-10mL blood samples, identifying 95% of sepsis pathogens (52 reportable results) vs. slower blood cultures; early data shows over double the clinically significant detections.[1][2][3]
• Automation and Usability: UllCORE analyzer automates sample-to-result with continuous loading (up to 8 samples), STAT prioritization, compact footprint (100x75cm), adjustable UI, and stable reagents—no culture step needed.[1][2]
• Clinical Impact: High concordance with blood cultures but faster and broader; focuses on unmet needs in sepsis management for hospital labs worldwide.[1][3]
• Team and Track Record: Built by STAT-Dx alumni (exited to QIAGEN), emphasizing integrity, innovation, and profitable growth in an inclusive environment.[1][2]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Deepull rides the wave of molecular diagnostics and precision medicine, specifically multiplex PCR for direct-from-sample pathogen ID, amid rising antimicrobial resistance and sepsis burdens (e.g., global challenges noted in literature).[1][3] Timing aligns with post-pandemic emphasis on rapid infectious disease testing, FDA Breakthrough status accelerating US entry, and Europe's healthtech boom—Barcelona's ecosystem supports scaleups like this.[2][4] Market forces favor it: sepsis affects millions annually with high mortality; traditional methods take days, while Deepull's 1-hour turnaround could transform ICUs. It influences the ecosystem by pushing culture-free tech, attracting investors like Panakès and Mérieux, and validating via prospective studies showing superior pathogen yield.[3][4]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Deepull is primed for global commercialization post-Series C, with clinical trials wrapping and FDA/EU approvals likely in 2026, potentially disrupting sepsis diagnostics dominated by slower incumbents.[2][3] Trends like AI-enhanced multiplexing and resistance tracking will amplify its edge, while expanding to other acute infections could drive adoption in resource-strapped hospitals. Its influence may grow via partnerships (e.g., Werfen), positioning it as a leader in accessible, high-impact healthtech—echoing its mission to empower labs for better patient outcomes through innovation.[1][4]