• Auris Surgical Robotics

  Participated · Series D · Aug 2017

  Auris Surgical Robotics, cofounded by Frederic Moll, develops flexible robotic endoscopy systems designed to perform endolumenal surgeries through natural openings rather than large incisions. The company says lung cancer is its first disease target and claims its technology can access early-stage lung cancer for better diagnosis and targeted treatment. Last year the FDA approved a medical robot identified in filings as the Auris Robotic Endoscopy System (ARES). IEEE Spectrum reporting and Auris patent filings suggest the company is working on flexible robots that can use the mouth and other natural openings and that its tooling could include lasers, forceps, needles, graspers, and scalpels. Auris has reportedly completed at least one successful human trial of such a robot outside the United States. The company is relatively low-key about its work and competes with firms including Medtronic, MedRobotics, Verb Surgical, and Intuitive Surgical.

• Auris Health

  Participated · Equity · Sep 2015

  Auris Health develops the Monarch Platform, an FDA-cleared robotic bronchoscopy system for diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopic procedures. The Monarch Platform uses a familiar controller interface to navigate a flexible robotic endoscope to the lung periphery, combining endoscopic views with computer-assisted navigation based on patient-specific 3-D models. The system provides continuous bronchoscope vision, computed guidance and precise instrument control throughout procedures to help diagnose and treat small, hard-to-reach nodules. The company says funding will advance commercialization of Monarch for endobronchial applications and support development of next-generation robotic interventional technology. Auris has initiated commercialization of the Monarch Platform earlier this year and is transitioning into a commercial-stage company. The company has now raised more than $700 million to date and recently closed a $220 million financing. Auris Surgical Robotics is a stealth Bay Area startup developing a microsurgical robotic system for eye surgery, particularly cataract removal. The company announced in 2013 that it was developing a robotic cataract‑removal system and said it had teamed with Biolase to use its Waterlase cutting technology. Auris’s leadership includes CEO Frederic Moll, the founder and first CEO of Intuitive Surgical. The company remains in deep stealth and declined to comment on the recent funding or how proceeds will be used. According to a regulatory filing, Auris raised $150 million in equity from an all‑star investor list including Lux Capital, NaviMed Capital and the Peter Thiel‑backed Mithril Capital Management. Last year Auris raised roughly $34 million in a Series A from about 20 backers, including Highland Capital Partners, Lux Capital and Mithril.

No current team members are available.