ForSight Robotics Secures $125M for Eye Surgery Robot Clinical Trials

ForSight Robotics, an Israeli startup specializing in robotic eye surgery platforms, has raised $125 million in a Series B funding round to advance its innovative Oryom system into human clinical trials. The investment, led by Eclipse and joined by notable industry figures, positions the company at the forefront of the burgeoning ophthalmology robotics sector.

Funding Details and Strategic Partnerships

The latest funding round was spearheaded by Eclipse, with participation from the Adani Group, Reiya Ventures, and robotic surgery pioneer Frederic Moll. An undisclosed strategic investor also made a significant contribution. This brings ForSight's total funding to $195 million, following its $55 million Series A round in 2022.

Joseph Nathan, ForSight Robotics' co-founder, president, and chief medical officer, emphasized the potential impact of their technology: "We see ophthalmology as the next frontier in the robotics revolution—much like general surgery was before the rise of Intuitive Surgical. With a comparable market size and an urgent global need, our opportunity ahead is immense."

Addressing Global Eye Care Challenges

ForSight Robotics aims to tackle pressing issues in global eye care. The company cites projections indicating a 24% increase in demand for ophthalmologists over the next decade, contrasted with a potential 12% decline in the number of specialists. Moreover, while over 600 million people worldwide suffer from cataracts, only 30 million have received surgical treatment, with approximately 4 million procedures performed annually in the United States alone.

The Oryom Platform: Capabilities and Future Prospects

The Oryom micromechanical platform is designed to perform a wide range of ophthalmic procedures. While initial clinical trials will focus on cataract surgeries, the system's versatility allows it to reach any point within the human eye. ForSight has ambitious plans to expand its applications to include glaucoma treatment and retinal surgeries in the future.

To date, more than two dozen ophthalmic surgeons have conducted hundreds of procedures using the Oryom system in animal models, demonstrating its potential for clinical use. The company's strategic advisory board, which includes industry luminaries such as Rony Abovitz, founder of Mako Surgical, and Frederic Moll, co-founder of Intuitive and Auris Surgical, further bolsters its expertise and market position.

As ForSight Robotics prepares for human clinical trials, the company is poised to set new standards in eye care and drive innovation on a global scale, potentially transforming the landscape of ophthalmic surgery.