Optellum

Optellum was incorporated in October 2015 in the United Kingdom.^[3] It originated from research at the University of Oxford's Computer Vision Laboratory, with the goal of applying machine learning to lung-nodule assessment and diagnosis. It was founded by four Oxford scientists and emeritus professor of oncological imaging at the University of Oxford, Sir Michael Brady ^[4]

In 2022, Optellum raised US$14 million in Series A funding to expand operations in the UK and the United States and to accelerate deployment of their AI platform for lung cancer diagnosis.^[1]

Optellum's core platform, the Virtual Nodule Clinic, assists radiologists and pulmonologists in identifying and evaluating lung nodules.^[2] The software uses radiomics and machine learning algorithms to compute a Lung Cancer Prediction (LCP) score that estimates malignancy risk.^[5][6] The system also supports screening and management of incidental nodules, detecting high-risk nodules in CT scans performed for other clinical reasons such as emergency or cardiac evaluations, and enabling longitudinal tracking and follow-up of these patients.^[2]

The Virtual Nodule Clinic has received regulatory clearances in several jurisdictions, including U.S. FDA 510(k), CE Mark, and UKCA approval.^[1] It is associated with CPT® code 0721T for AI-based lung nodule risk assessment and management. In 2022, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a national payment rate for the LCP score, enabling Medicare reimbursement.^[2] The platform has been deployed in healthcare systems such as AtlantiCare in New Jersey, which reported identifying multiple high-risk nodules through its use.^[7]

In 2025, Optellum announced a collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb to implement its AI system across several U.S. healthcare networks to improve early lung cancer diagnosis.^[8] It has also partnered with GE HealthCare to expand AI integration into imaging and lung health solutions.^[9]