What Cellular Pathology Services does

Cellular Pathology Services (CPS) is an independent diagnostic histopathology and cytopathology laboratory founded in 2007 by consultant pathologists Dr Joseph El-Jabbour and Dr Paul Mitra, operating from a CQC-registered, UKAS ISO 15189:2022 accredited facility in Watford with a registered office in London. The company provides a fully managed histology and cytology service covering histopathology, diagnostic and gynaecological cytology, tinctorial staining, immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics, immunofluorescence, frozen section, Mohs surgery support, NHS backlog reporting, and research/clinical trial support, delivered via a bespoke in-house laboratory information system (Medilims/e-PathSys client portal) and a UK-wide courier collection network. CPS serves two primary customer segments on distinct commercial terms: NHS trusts on a fixed fee-per-case basis for backlog and wet tissue reporting, and private hospitals, independent clinics, and over 200 specialist consultants under service-level agreements with monthly invoicing and transparent pricing. The business is founder-owned and has not raised external institutional capital; growth has been funded organically alongside investment in digital pathology (3D Histech whole slide scanning, 2021) and lab capacity upgrades.

Name

Cellular Pathology Services

Legal name

Cellular Pathology Services Limited

Website

https://cellularpathologyservices.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cellular Pathology Services is a UK-based independent histopathology laboratory providing fully managed histology, cytology, immunohistochemistry, and NHS backlog reporting services to private clinics, specialist consultants, and NHS trusts from its CQC-registered, ISO 15189 accredited Watford facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diagnostic Histopathology & Cytopathology Laboratory Services

NAICS

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151), Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Health Services (8000), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Anatomic Pathology (Histopathology & Cytopathology) (HLAFAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cytology & Histopathology Diagnostics (IHC, ISH, tissue-based assays) (HLAAALAI), Pathology Reporting, Synoptic Templates & Cancer Registry Interfaces (HLACAMAJ), Anatomic Pathology & Histopathology (Trial Support) (HLAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Histopathology laboratory services
• Cytopathology diagnostics
• Immunohistochemistry services
• Digital pathology scanning
• NHS backlog reporting

Headquarters

HQ city

Watford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. NHS Backlog Reporting Services: Fixed fee per case basis for NHS trusts including slide reporting and wet tissue processing and reporting. Short, medium or long term cover arrangements.
2. Private Sector Histopathology Services: Comprehensive histopathology and cytopathology services to independent hospitals and private clinics. Monthly invoicing with electronic daily billing manifest. Service Level Agreement terms.
3. Research and Clinical Trial Services: Customized microtomy, FFPE services, immunohistochemistry, tinctorial staining for research protocols and clinical trials

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cellular Pathology Services is an independent CQC-registered and ISO 15189:2022-accredited diagnostic histopathology laboratory providing a fully managed tissue and cellular pathology service to the NHS and independent/private healthcare sector across the UK. Its portfolio spans histopathology, diagnostic and gynaecological cytology, immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics, tinctorial and immunofluorescence staining, frozen section, Mohs surgery support, NHS backlog reporting, and research/clinical trial pathology services, supported by digital whole-slide scanning, a bespoke lab information system, and a secure online client portal.

Product overview

Cellular Pathology Services (CPS) is an independent diagnostic histopathology laboratory offering a fully managed service combining multiple specialized pathology offerings. The core portfolio includes histopathology, diagnostic cytology, and gynaecologic cytology services, supplemented by specialized staining techniques (tinctorial stains, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence), frozen section services, and Mohs surgery support. The company operates its own CQC-registered and ISO 15189:2022 accredited laboratory with digital pathology capabilities. Clients access services through the Medilims online client portal for result tracking and case management. CPS provides end-to-end managed services including courier collection, consumables supply, and pathologist availability around the clock.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• e-PathSys: Online Client Portal service for secure access to results, case tracking, and specimen analysis requests

Products and services

• Histopathology Services Comprehensive private histopathology service examining tissue samples to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities, make tissue diagnoses, and assess completeness of excision; offered to NHS trusts, private hospitals, clinics, and specialist consultants.
• Diagnostic Cytology Services Non-gynaecological cytopathology services including fine needle aspiration (FNA), urine cytology, fluid cytology, sputum cytology, brushings, washings, cyst fluids, and cerebrospinal fluids for NHS and private clients.
• Gynaecologic Cytology Services Cervical smear testing (PAP test) using Hologic Thin-Prep liquid-base cytology technique with HPV DNA testing capability for gynaecological screening and diagnostics.
• Tinctorial Stains Special stains including routine tinctorial staining, development and optimisation of stains for research protocols, and large-scale staining projects for histopathology clients and research programmes.
• Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Diagnostics Tissue analysis using specific antibodies for detection, with molecular diagnostic studies including EGFR, BRAF, K-RAS, MGP22, HNPCC and others on paraffin fixed material for NHS, private and research clients.
• Immunofluorescence Services Direct and indirect immunofluorescence procedures for detecting in-vivo deposition of immunoglobulins, complement components and fibrinogen for NHS and private diagnostic use.
• Frozen Section Services Intraoperative consultation service for rapid tissue examination during surgical procedures, undertaken after discussion with a consultant histopathologist.
• Mohs Surgery Support Specialised Mohs micrographic surgery support including histopathologist attendance, tissue processing, staining and assessment for skin cancer treatment with complete margin control, primarily serving dermatology clinics such as Belgravia Dermatology and Perfect Skin Solutions.
• NHS Backlog Reporting and Managed Pathology Services Fixed-fee-per-case managed services for NHS trusts including slide reporting, wet tissue handling, processing, sectioning, and data entry with online access to results; available on short, medium or long-term arrangements.
• Backlog & Research Services Customised microtomy, FFPE services, immunohistochemistry, tinctorial staining, and pathologist interpretation for research protocols and clinical trials serving research organisations and clinical trial sponsors.
• Medilims Online Client Portal (e-PathSys) Secure web-based Medilims portal (branded e-PathSys) for tracking specimen progress, viewing results, requesting analysis, auditing cases, requesting consumables, and accessing cases 24/7.
• Digital Pathology Whole Slide Scanning and Reporting Whole-slide scanning and digital reporting service using a 3D Histech scanner enabling pathologists to examine digitised tissue samples digitally rather than through traditional microscopy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of histological samples reported within 72 hours
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Skin Care NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2018Collaborative poster presentation at the 98th Annual Meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists. Dr Joseph El-Jabbour collaborated with Howard Stevens from Skin Care Network and RAH Stevens from St George's Medical School on reflectance confocal microscopy in skin cancer diagnosis.
• St George's Medical SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2018Collaboration at British Association of Dermatologists Annual Meeting. RAH Stevens from St George's Medical School collaborated with CPS on poster presentation regarding reflectance confocal microscopy in skin cancer diagnosis.
• Skin Care NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2018Collaboration at the 5th World Congress of Dermoscopy in Greece (June 14-16, 2018). Dr Joseph El-Jabbour and Lisa Murangi from CPS collaborated with Skin Care Network to present posters on the role of Confocal Microscopy in the diagnosis of skin cancer.
• Pathaway Services LimitedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPathaway Services Limited is a histology testing and reporting services partner of CPS. Chidi Anyaeche, Business Development Director, states they are proud to be associated with CPS and find them professional, organised, disciplined with friendly disposition across management, clinical, laboratory services and sales & marketing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Spire Healthcare Pathology Services: UK private hospital group operating on-site pathology labs serving in-hospital consultants and external referrers - similar customer archetype (private consultants) and product (histology, cytology) as CPS.
• Synlab UK (formerly Viapath): Pan-European diagnostics giant operating one of the largest UK pathology services (NHS contracts incl. King's College, South West London, Bedfordshire); broader portfolio than CPS but overlapping most heavily on NHS histology backlog clearing and digital pathology.
• Sonic Healthcare UK: Global diagnostics operator (parent of Doctor's Laboratory/TDL in UK) providing full pathology and laboratory services to NHS and private clients - a much larger incumbent competing for the same NHS outsourcing and private-clinic histology work.
• The Doctors Laboratory (TDL): Major London-based private pathology provider offering comprehensive histology, cytology and molecular services to private clinics and consultants across the UK - competing head-to-head with CPS for private dermatology, gynaecology and specialist work.
• HCA Laboratories (HCA Healthcare UK): In-house/private hospital laboratory operator serving HCA's UK private hospitals and external consultants; overlaps with CPS on hospital-based private histopathology referrals and turnaround-time-led service.

Direct peers

• Source BioScience: UK-based independent diagnostics provider offering histopathology, cytology and digital pathology services to NHS and private sector - directly comparable to CPS in customer base (NHS trusts, private clinics, consultants), product portfolio (IHC, molecular, slide reporting), and UK-wide coverage.

Emerging players

• CellPath (Cellular Pathology Ltd): Independent histopathology and dermatopathology specialist in the UK with strong dermatology/Mohs pathology heritage - directly comparable niche offering (dermatopathology, sub-specialist reporting) for UK private dermatologists.
• Achilles Therapeutics / UK Contract Histology CROs: UK-based and international biotech/CROs that provide dedicated histopathology and IHC services for clinical trials and translational research - overlap with CPS's research and clinical-trial services revenue stream.

Others

• Aposys (digital pathology / Medilims competitors): UK suppliers of laboratory information management systems and digital pathology platforms used by independent histology labs - adjacent/infrastructure peer relevant to CPS's bespoke Medilims portal and 3D Histech scanning stack.
• UK NEQAS-affiliated NHS Histopathology Departments: NHS in-house cellular pathology departments across UK trusts - they handle the bulk of NHS workload and compete with CPS for backlog outsourcing contracts; increasingly adopting digital pathology platforms themselves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2876626
• Xx.com/CPSHisto

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cellular Pathology Services