RAYFOS LTD

Their core work

Rayfos is a UK-based SME specializing in advanced optical and optoacoustic sensing technologies for biomedical applications. They develop components and subsystems for medical imaging devices — including endoscopic probes, handheld optoacoustic mesoscopes, and label-free spectroscopic sensors — used in cancer detection, diabetes monitoring, and tissue characterization. Their work sits at the intersection of photonics engineering and clinical diagnostics, contributing hardware and sensing expertise to consortia building next-generation medical imaging platforms.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), Rayfos focused on Raman spectroscopy and endoscopic imaging for cancer detection — building miniaturized optical probes for tissue characterization in projects like ESOTRAC and SENSITIVE. From 2019 onward, they shifted decisively toward optoacoustic mesoscopy and label-free sensing, with projects like WINTHER and RSENSE emphasizing handheld devices and microvasculature monitoring. Most recently (2021), they branched into multi-omics integration (OPTOMICS) and organ-on-chip platforms (Tumor-LN-oC), signaling a move from pure imaging hardware toward data-rich diagnostic ecosystems.

Rayfos is moving from single-modality optical sensors toward integrated imaging-plus-omics platforms, positioning themselves for the convergence of photonics and precision medicine.

How they like to work

Rayfos operates exclusively as a consortium participant — across all 10 projects they have never served as coordinator, indicating they function as a specialist technology supplier rather than a project leader. With 52 unique partners across 15 countries, they have built a broad but non-concentrated network, joining different consortia rather than repeatedly teaming with the same partners. This makes them an adaptable, plug-in contributor: easy to bring into new consortia where photonic sensing expertise is needed without the overhead of competing for leadership roles.

Rayfos has collaborated with 52 distinct partners across 15 countries, giving them a wide European network concentrated in the biomedical photonics and medical device research community. Their connections span universities, research institutes, and medical device companies across Western and Southern Europe.

What sets them apart

Rayfos occupies a rare niche as an SME that bridges photonic hardware engineering and clinical diagnostics — most companies in this space are either large optics firms or university spinouts focused on a single modality. Their track record across both Raman spectroscopy and optoacoustic imaging means they can contribute sensing components to a wider range of biomedical imaging projects than more narrowly focused competitors. For consortium builders, they offer proven reliability (10 projects, consistent funding) with the flexibility and speed of a small company.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INNODERM
  Largest single grant (€496K) and a flagship project applying spectral optoacoustic mesoscopy to dermatology — a domain-defining effort for Rayfos.
• OPTOMICS
  Represents their strategic pivot into combining optoacoustic imaging with multi-omics (proteomics, metabolomics, genotyping) for diabetes care — their most interdisciplinary project.
• Tumor-LN-oC
  A departure from their imaging core into organ-on-chip and microfluidics, signaling expansion into in-vitro tumor modeling with bioprinting capabilities.