Leo Cancer Care, a medtech startup reshaping radiation oncology with patient-first innovation, has raised $40 million in funding. The round was led by Catalio Capital Management, giving the company significant resources to expand its mission: to transform the way radiation therapy is delivered worldwide.

At the helm is CEO Stephen Towe, who has built Leo Cancer Care around a simple but profound question: what if cancer treatment was designed to feel more human? That philosophy has led the company to pioneer upright therapy systems, which allow patients to receive radiation in a more natural, seated position. The result is care that feels less clinical, less intimidating, and more empowering for patients already facing the toughest battle of their lives.

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The More Human Way to Deliver Radiation Therapy

For decades, patients undergoing radiation therapy have been treated lying flat on hard treatment tables- an experience that is often uncomfortable, stressful, and physically demanding. Leo Cancer Care is turning that model upside down. Their upright patient positioning systems allow treatments to be delivered while patients are seated, providing:

• Greater comfort and reduced anxiety during therapy
  
• Improved imaging accuracy, enabling better targeting of tumors
  
• Shorter treatment times thanks to optimized workflows
  
• Seamless integration into existing oncology departments
  

This isn’t just a cosmetic change. Research suggests that upright positioning can improve imaging quality, potentially leading to better treatment precision while also reducing the mental and emotional burden on patients.

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Why This Funding Matters Now

Cancer incidence continues to rise globally, with cases projected to increase from 19.3 million in 2020 to nearly 28.9 million by 2040 (WHO). Radiation therapy remains a cornerstone of treatment, required by 50–60% of cancer patients at some point in their journey (American Cancer Society). Yet despite its effectiveness, many patients struggle to complete treatment cycles because of the discomfort and psychological toll.

Leo Cancer Care is addressing this gap by focusing on the experience as much as the science. And this is where the real lesson for founders emerges.

The biggest breakthroughs often don’t come from adding more complexity- they come from removing invisible barriers. In radiation oncology, the barrier wasn’t only clinical accuracy; it was the fear and discomfort patients silently endured. By changing the posture of treatment, Leo Cancer Care didn’t just improve the machine- they improved the human interaction.

That’s the ultra value drop: founders who reimagine experience often unlock opportunities their competitors overlook. Technology may be the backbone, but it’s the way humans engage with that technology that creates loyalty, trust, and market differentiation. Whether you’re building in healthcare, fintech, or SaaS, remember this- sometimes your competitive edge isn’t about being more advanced, it’s about being more humane.

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Strategic Backing from Catalio Capital Management

Leo Cancer Care’s funding round was led by Catalio Capital Management, a respected investor in life sciences innovation. Beyond capital, Catalio brings industry expertise, regulatory insights, and growth experience that will help the company accelerate commercialization in key markets such as the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

This strategic partnership ensures Leo Cancer Care has the credibility and resources to scale its systems globally.

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The Market Opportunity in Radiation Oncology

The radiation oncology devices market is undergoing rapid expansion:

• Valued at $7.6 billion in 2023, it is projected to hit $15.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.2%.
  
• By 2030, the oncology devices segment overall is expected to surpass $21 billion, driven by demand for more precise and patient-friendly technologies.
  
• With cancer prevalence rising and healthcare systems under pressure, solutions that improve efficiency and adherence while reducing costs are in high demand.
  

Leo Cancer Care is positioned at the intersection of medical necessity and patient experience, a rare combination that gives it strong differentiation in a competitive market.

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The Vision of Stephen Towe

CEO Stephen Towe has been consistent about Leo Cancer Care’s mission: to make treatment more dignified, compassionate, and effective. By merging advanced imaging, radiation technology, and human-centered design, he aims to establish upright therapy as the new standard in oncology.

This vision isn’t just about hardware- it’s about reshaping expectations of what cancer care should feel like. That kind of thinking is what turns a medical device company into a movement.

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Lessons for Founders

Leo Cancer Care’s journey offers lessons that apply across industries:

1. Look for hidden friction. Discomfort and fear were invisible barriers in radiation therapy- removing them created a new category advantage.
   
2. Humanize technology. People don’t remember specs- they remember how a product made them feel.
   
3. Choose investors strategically. Catalio’s expertise gives Leo Cancer Care both funding and validation in regulated markets.
   
4. Timing is leverage. Rising cancer incidence means global demand for solutions is peaking- scaling now matters more than ever.
   

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What’s Next for Leo Cancer Care

With $40 million secured, Leo Cancer Care plans to:

• Expand global clinical trials to validate upright therapy outcomes
  
• Scale manufacturing to meet anticipated hospital demand
  
• Enter new markets across North America, Europe, and Asia
  
• Continue R&D to integrate advanced imaging and automation into its systems
  

If successful, Leo Cancer Care could not only capture market share but also redefine the patient experience in oncology worldwide.

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Final Thoughts

Leo Cancer Care’s $40 million raise represents more than growth capital- it symbolizes a shift in how we think about healthcare innovation. By focusing on the patient’s dignity and comfort, the company proves that compassion can be as disruptive as technology itself.

For founders, the message is timeless: don’t just optimize for efficiency- optimize for humanity. That’s where real transformation begins.

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