Heriot-Watt welcomes award shortlisting for spinout Less Grey Imaging

Heriot-Watt University is delighted to learn that its spin-out company, Less Grey Imaging, has been shortlisted for the Innovation – Health Technology Award at the Scotland’s Life Sciences Awards.

The shortlisting recognises the progress of Less Grey Imaging and its work to transform prostate cancer diagnosis through a breakthrough contrast-enhanced, high-resolution ultrasound modality. It also reflects the strength of the University’s vibrant health and care technologies and life sciences ecosystem, burgeoned through the work of our institutes, where research, enterprise and clinical application are closely connected.

Less Grey Imaging was founded in 2024 to translate world-leading imaging research developed at Heriot-Watt into a deployable clinical innovation. The company continues to work in close collaboration with Professor Vassilis Sboros and his research group, maintaining a strong link between academic discovery and product development as the technology progresses towards wider clinical evaluation.

Developed from research at Heriot-Watt, Less Grey Imaging’s technology utilised AI and common contract agents to reveal tumour-associated microvascular structures that cannot be detected using conventional ultrasound. Early clinical evaluation has demonstrated 94% sensitivity using standard equipment in a rapid, clinic-based workflow, offering MRI-level diagnostic insight without the cost, delays or capacity constraints associated with MRI pathways.

With more than 50,000 new prostate cancer diagnoses each year in the UK and over 10 million diagnostic procedures carried out globally, demand is growing for faster, more accessible and more scalable diagnostic approaches. Less Grey Imaging addresses this need by enabling high-quality imaging directly in the urology clinic, helping to reduce unnecessary biopsies, lower system costs and expand access in regions where MRI infrastructure is limited.

Professor Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal for Business and Enterprise at Heriot-Watt, said: “At Heriot-Watt, we see commercialisation as a powerful way of extending the reach of research and ensuring it delivers real clinical and societal benefit. Our Global Research Institutes play a vital role in bringing together interdisciplinary research, enterprise and industry to support that journey. Less Grey Imaging is a strong example of how enterprising research, ongoing collaboration and targeted support can help translate discovery into solutions that address global health challenges.”

The company is led by Dr Papageorgiou alongside MedTech specialists including Tito Bacarese-Hamilton and Nadia Whittley, with scientific leadership from Professor Vassilis Sboros. It is supported by an experienced board and has secured backing from Innovate UK, Scottish Enterprise and Prostate Cancer Research, and a founding investment from the University. The team is now preparing for multi-centre clinical evaluation and international market development.

Heriot-Watt continues to work closely with Less Grey Imaging through its enterprise and innovation support, reinforcing the University’s commitment to long-term collaboration with its spinouts and to ensuring research-driven innovation achieves lasting real-world impact.

The winners of the Scotland’s Life Sciences Awards will be announced later this year.