52North launches ARC™ for nuclear emergency preparedness with NATO backing
Cambridge, UK
4th September, 2025
Cambridge, UK
4th September, 2025
52North has been recognised for a second time by NATO. 15 technology companies from across the world have been selected into the final phase of the NATO defence innovation accelerator programme, DIANA
The programme offers €300,000 in funding, taking the total 52North received from NATO DIANA to €400,000: in addition to continued support to help 52North win defence contracts and accelerate commercial adoption. 52North’s selection highlights the unique proposition offered by its AsterTM platform technology. This new category in diagnostics offers the world’s first portable platform for measuring cells. A new product, ARCTM has been built to strengthen the medical resilience capability of the NATO Alliance. It enables remote triaging, and treatment monitoring, of those at risk of radiation sickness, ensuring those in need receive quick access to life-saving drugs.
"This exciting announcement from NATO cements 52North’s position as an upcoming leader in diagnostics. It highlights the major markets vying for 52North’s remarkable remote cell measurement technology. We are working in partnership with key NATO stakeholders to support nuclear safety and protect people from the harmful effects of ionising radiation."
Umaima Ahmad, CEO of 52North
Spun out of the University of Cambridge, 52North’s technology use spans triage support for cancer patients with Neutrocheck® and those at risk of radiation sickness with ARCTM.
The DIANA journey began in 2024 when 52North was selected from around 3,000 global applicants for Phase 1 of the DIANA Accelerator Programme. Embedded at the BioInnovation Institute in Copenhagen, 52North undertook 6 months of robust engagement with senior stakeholders across the NATO Alliance, verifying 52North’s unique capacity to solve for a critical need in the field. 52North have subsequently secured major adoption interest from critical stakeholders in key organisations across NATO countries, accelerating the company’s progression in the defence sector.
"DIANA is NATO's innovation engine. We are finding the most innovative technologies from the market; we are helping these talented innovators fine-tune their technologies and grow their businesses; and we are connecting the companies to end users so that NATO defence ministries can adopt new technologies at the speed of relevance, including through DIANA’s Rapid Adoption Service. Phase 2 is a pivotal stage in our Accelerator Programme, and I congratulate these companies for making and taking this next step."
James Appathurai, Managing Director of NATO DIANA
About 52North
52North is a medical technology company on a mission to make urgent care pathways safer and more effective. Awarded breakthrough status for its first product Neutrocheck® by the UK Government in 2024, 52North builds innovative diagnostic and digital solutions to transform patient journeys in urgent care. Its award-winning, multidisciplinary team is based in Cambridge, UK. 52North is backed by leading UK and US hospital venture funds, Meridian Health Ventures and Cedars-Sinai Intellectual Property Company, and other partners, including the University of Cambridge and OKG Capital.
The products mentioned in this article are in development, have not been authorised by regulators and are not currently available for sale. Neutrocheck® is a registered trademark of 52 North Health Ltd.
Learn more at www.52north.health or contact press@52north.health
About DIANA
DIANA is the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, a NATO organisation with a mission to locate and accelerate dual-use innovation across the Alliance.
DIANA works to find, accelerate, and promote adoption of technologies that will strengthen the Alliance no matter the threat.
Learn more at www.diana.nato.int
