CMR Surgical, a UK-based medtech company, has landed over $200 million in fresh debt and equity funding to fuel the US expansion of its Versius surgical robotic platform. Intensifying its competition with American industry giant Intuitive Surgical.
The round drew support from existing investors like SoftBank, LightRock, and Ally-Bridge. US-based asset manager Trinity Capital backed the effort with $68 million in debt financing. Marking a strategic push as CMR eyes a larger slice of the global soft tissue robotics market.
Founded in 2014, CMR Surgical has developed the Versius robot to assist in a wide range of procedures. Including colorectal, gynaecological, thoracic, urology, and other soft tissue surgeries. According to the company, Versius has already been deployed in more than 30,000 operations worldwide. Underscoring its growing footprint in a sector long dominated by US-listed Intuitive Surgical, which now boasts a market valuation of nearly $180 billion.
As one of the most well-capitalized surgical robotics startups globally, CMR has raised over $1 billion to date. Reaching a $3 billion valuation after its massive $600 million Series D round in 2021. The latest cash injection follows a £133 million convertible loan note raised in 2023. And further cements its position as Europe’s leading robotic surgery player.
UK Science Minister Patrick Vallance praised the raise, calling it “a clear vote of confidence in the company. The potential of surgical robotics, and in the UK’s life sciences ecosystem, which continues to produce innovative companies at an impressive rate.”
The Versius system enables surgeons to control tools like endoscopes, forceps, scissors, and needle holders with robotic precision. It also captures detailed operational data, which is fed back in real time to surgical teams to improve performance and outcomes.
Globally, Versius ranks as the second most widely adopted soft tissue robotic system. Right behind Intuitive’s well-established da Vinci platform, which has dominated the market since the early 2000s.
CMR’s CEO, Massimiliano Colella, highlighted the company’s pivotal moment. “We are now at a pivotal stage, poised to capitalise on significant opportunities for market expansion, including in the US. While continuing to penetrate deeper into existing markets,” he said.
Beyond CMR, the European surgical robotics space is heating up. Several notable rivals have secured sizeable investments. Including Switzerland’s DistalMotion ($150 million in 2023), Italy’s Medical Microinstruments ($110 million in 2024), and France’s Moon Surgical ($55 million in 2023). Yet CMR remains the dominant force, not only in funding but also in commercial traction.
As robotic-assisted surgery continues to gain ground globally. CMR’s momentum signals growing investor interest in high-precision medtech and the critical role the UK may play in shaping the future of surgical robotics.
