Distalmotion Raises $90M to Commercialize Dexter Surgical Robot

Distalmotion yesterday announced that it has closed $90 million (U.S.) in Series E financing to support the global commercialization of its Dexter surgical robot. The Epalinges, Switzerland-based company said its system combines the affordability of laparoscopy with the benefits of robotic surgery.

“Dexter combines the best of both worlds -- laparoscopy and robotics -- to make sense of robotic surgery,” said Michael Friedrich, CEO of Distalmotion. “By addressing essential problems that operating room teams face, we can deliver on our mission to fast-track widespread adoption of robotic surgery in minimally invasive care.”

The company said its mission is "to remove the complexity out of robotic surgery in order to establish a new standard of care, where all patients in general surgery, gynecology, and urology have access to best-in-class minimally invasive care."

Dexter brings surgeons back into the OR

While many robot-assisted surgical procedures involve remote control of tools, Dexter brings physicians closer to their patients, Distalmotion claimed. The CE-marked medical device allows direct patient access at all times and integratesg proven laparoscopic workflows into the robotic setup, it said.

"This novel, user-centric approach makes the surgeon the focal point of the procedure, reducing complexity and delivering sought-after simplicity and versatility to the market for robotic surgery," according to Distalmotion. The company said the investment follows the successful completion of Dexter’s first clinical cases.

“This is a fundamentally new approach to robotic surgery,” said Prof. Dieter Hahnloser, who heads colorectal surgery at Lausanne University Hospital and performed the worldwide first general surgery procedure with Dexter in 2021. “Dexter’s open platform and the ability to switch quickly between standard laparoscopy and the robot give me an added sense of control and the freedom of choice to use the best instruments available for the job. To have these benefits while remaining sterile, with direct access to patient and robot, indicates Dexter can be a gamechanger in ORs [operating rooms] around the world.”

Distalmotion said leading hospitals in Europe are developing procedure guidelines and training protocols for robotic surgery with Dexter as part of clinical studies and an early adopter program (EAP).

Revival chairman to lead Distalmotion

Revival Healthcare Capital led the Series E round, with participation from 415 Capital, as well as existing investors. Revival will also contribute hands-on leadership as Distalmotion plans to grow. Rick Anderson, chairman of Revival, will join Distalmotion's board as chairman, while Revival President Lauren Forshey will join as an observer.

“The market is overdue for a fundamentally new approach to robotic surgery, where the mindset needs to be about ‘the surgeon’s robot,’ not molding ‘the robot’s surgeon,’” Anderson said. “Dexter is designed to work the way surgeons and OR teams work: patient-focused and user-centric, providing necessary patient access and optimal tools for every step of the way. We are excited to deliver this powerful value proposition to surgeons, OR teams, and patients worldwide.”

Distalmotion added that it plans to use some of its funding to work on submitting Dexter to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval.