Mendaera, a California-based healthcare tech company, has secured $73m in Series B funding to advance robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) for medical procedures.
The round was led by Threshold Ventures, with support from Lux Capital, PFM Health Sciences, and Fred Moll, founder of Intuitive Surgical and Auris Health.
Mendaera said the funding will help the company to advance its handheld robotic platform and expand robotics and AI in mainstream procedures.
The healthcare tech firm aims to create a new category in medical robotics, making advanced technology accessible for everyday procedures.
Its handheld interventional platform combines robotics, AI, real-time imaging, and virtual connectivity. This platform is designed for use across various specialities and service locations, meeting demand for needle-based interventions.
The enhanced delivery of these procedures is expected to improve patient encounters and drive system-wide efficiencies.
Mendaera founder and CEO Josh DeFonzo said: “Traditional surgical robots have established footing in the operating room.
“But robotics and AI have evolved to a point where we can deliver broader benefits across all parts of the healthcare system and enable higher standards of care for more patients.
“We believe that our technology will allow healthcare systems and providers to provision medical procedures at scale, enhancing patient experience, increasing access to high-quality care, reducing overall cost, and improving healthcare provider satisfaction.”
Mendaera will use the new funding to finalise its robotic technology, enhance its AI and connectivity features, and initiate clinical introductions of its platform.
In March this year, the company acquired Avail Medsystems’ telepresence technology to boost its virtual connectivity capabilities. The technology enables healthcare experts to virtually connect, collaborate and share clinical expertise.
Additionally, in late 2023, Mendaera entered a commercial agreement with Butterfly Network, a point-of-care ultrasound company. The deal involves Butterfly’s Ultrasound-on-Chip technology.
Threshold Ventures founder and managing partner Emily Melton said: “Mendaera has the unique ability to improve the patient experience and make high-quality care widely accessible. “Amidst rising healthcare costs and labour shortages impacting quality and affordability, it is imperative to harness advanced technology to revolutionise healthcare delivery.”
