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Every day, clinicians around the world face a challenge that is urgent and deeply human: diagnosing skin cancer quickly, accurately, and without putting patients through unnecessary procedures. In New Zealand, where we have one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, the need for better tools is particularly acute.

At the University of Auckland, a team of photonics researchers saw an opportunity to change this. Their breakthrough has become Luminoma, a spin-out company using advanced laser technology to bring rapid, non-invasive skin cancer diagnosis directly into the clinic.

Today, Luminoma is emerging as one of Aotearoa New Zealand鈥檚 most promising deep-tech ventures.

From the Photon Factory to the Clinic

Luminoma traces its origins to the Photon Factory, the University of Auckland鈥檚 ultrafast laser research centre, where Dr Mich茅l Nieuwoudt, a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Chemical Sciences, began exploring how lasers could be used to read the biochemical 鈥渇ingerprints鈥� of cancer.

Working alongside photonics leader Professor Cather Simpson, Nieuwoudt set out to prove that a handheld device using Raman spectroscopy could non-invasively determine whether a skin lesion was likely malignant or benign, in seconds.

That research has evolved into LumAssure鈩�, a portable diagnostic tool designed to support faster, better clinical decisions. Instead of removing tissue for a biopsy, clinicians can scan a lesion with laser light and receive instant biochemical data about what鈥檚 happening beneath the surface.

Early studies have been highly promising, with the LumAssure prototype showing exceptional sensitivity in detecting skin cancers. The opportunity for clinicians and their patients are profound. It offers:

• Faster answers for patients who might otherwise wait days or weeks for biopsy results
• Non-invasive scans, reducing unnecessary biopsies and healthcare costs
• Rapid triage capability, especially valuable in remote or high-demand clinics
• And global scalability, bringing advanced diagnostics to places where specialist access is limited

Skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early. A tool like LumAssure could help shift the balance, giving clinicians better information more rapidly than using current diagnostic tools.

Luminoma Beta Concept

A Deep-Tech Success Story

Luminoma is the third spin-out from the Photon Factory, joining a lineage that includes Engender Technologies, Orbis Diagnostics, and other successful ventures born from photonics research at the University.

The company has raised over $5 million from investors including Bridgewest Ventures and Pacific Channel, with further support from government and national Centres of Research Excellence such as the Dodd-Walls Centre and the MacDiarmid Institute.

Dr Nieuwoudt鈥檚 leadership in translating research into commercial impact was recognised nationally when he was named a finalist for the KiwiNet Researcher Entrepreneur Award.

Associate Dean (Research) Professor Geoff Wilmott describes Luminoma as 鈥渁 classic example of a deep-tech company that can improve wellbeing and contribute to New Zealand鈥檚 prosperity.鈥� It also highlights the strength of the University鈥檚 photonics ecosystem, where physicists, chemists, engineers, and biologists collaborate to turn fundamental discoveries into real-world solutions.

Advancing New Zealand Photonics 

Luminoma showcases the global strength of New Zealand鈥檚 photonics capability, a field that is reshaping industries from medicine and manufacturing to space and quantum technology.

It also reflects the University of Auckland鈥檚 capability in bringing together research excellence, interdisciplinary expertise, and industry to support ideas from the lab bench to real-world application.