This French startup bags €24M to deploy robotics to treat cataract

Over 25 million patients across the world take up cataract surgery each year. Notably, it is one of the most commonly performed vision-related surgical procedures in the world. To help treat patients, Keranova, a French startup, has developed an ultra-fast robotised laser. Its technology helps handle refractory issues including astigmatism and myopia.

Founded by Fabrice Romano, Keranova’s approach transforms the way surgical procedures are seen and reduces manual procedures with the adoption of precision and automation. Eventually, clinical risks are minimised.

Raises €24M funding

In a recent move, the French startup raised €24 million in the second funding round. The investment comes from existing investors – Supernova Invest and Mérieux Equity Partners along with participation from new investors – Tourrette Investissement and Financière Arbevel.

It has been claimed that Keranova will use the investment to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies. Also, it will be used to obtain regulatory authorisations required to market its solution for repeatable, precise, and automated robotised cataract surgery procedures.

Back in 2016, the company raised an initial funding amount of €5 million to strengthen its workforce and invest in R&D. It was also used to complete the regulatory process to help obtain a CE mark.

“We are extremely proud to have succeeded in producing such a revolutionary machine in such a short amount of time and are very pleased to have attracted new financial partners,” said Fabrice Romano, CEO and founder of Keranova. “We are very grateful to them and are eager to promote this innovative surgical equipment as the new gold standard in anterior eye segment surgery.”

First surgical robot!

Keranova is all set to host a symposium during the ESCRS convention to be hosted from September 14 to September 18 in Paris. At the symposium, the company will unveil its surgical robot for the first time. Notably, the first clinical prototype was produced through a series of innovations protected by 11 patents.

It is the world’s first device to be capable of performing automated phacoemulsification of cataractous lenses. And, it successfully treated the first set of patients in December 2018. It replaces traditional manual equipment and cannot be used with other laser devices using soon-to-be-obsolete technology.

What Keranova does?

Keranova operates with the mission to advance ophthalmic surgery by providing new surgical tools that can revolutionisze the traditional surgical procedures in practice even today. It also aims to provide access to both surgeons and patients to the surgery of the future. The technologically-sound approach is increasingly automated and reduces surgical risks.

Stock photos from Viktoria Gavrilina/Shutterstock

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