ForSight Robotics, an Israel-based company developing robotic technology for ophthalmic surgery, announced the successful completion of a $125 million Series B funding round led by Eclipse. The investment brings the company's total funding to $195 million and marks a significant milestone in the advancement of robotic-assisted eye surgery.
The funding round saw participation from Reiya Ventures, Adani Group, and existing investors, alongside Dr. Fred Moll, the renowned founder of Intuitive Surgical and creator of the da Vinci surgical system. The company also reported substantial investment from an undisclosed strategic partner, signaling strong industry confidence in its technology.
At the heart of ForSight's innovation is the ORYOM Platform, a surgical robot specifically designed for eye procedures. The platform combines artificial intelligence algorithms, advanced computer vision, and micromechanics to perform delicate surgical tasks with microsurgical instruments. The technology's ability to access both anterior and posterior segments of the human eye positions it for applications beyond cataract surgery, including glaucoma and retinal procedures.
The new capital will accelerate the development and commercialization of ForSight's robotic surgery platform, with human clinical trials scheduled to commence this year. This represents a critical step toward bringing the technology to operating rooms worldwide.
"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," Dr. Joseph Nathan, ForSight Robotics' cofounder, president and chief medical officer, said in a statement.
The robotic ophthalmology surgery market is gradually expanding, with companies like Dutch-based Preceyes Surgical System already making strides. Preceyes received CE Mark approval in Europe in 2019 for external membrane peeling in retinal surgery and entered the U.S. market through a 2021 collaboration with the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. The institution successfully modified and utilized Preceyes' technology for glaucoma surgery, demonstrating the growing acceptance of robotic assistance in delicate eye procedures.
ForSight's substantial funding round and ambitious clinical trial timeline reflect the increasing recognition of robotics' potential to transform ophthalmic surgery, addressing global healthcare needs while enhancing surgical precision and patient outcomes.
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