ForSight Robotics Secures $125M for Revolutionary Eye Surgery Platform

ForSight Robotics, an Israel-based medical technology company, has raised $125 million in a Series B funding round to advance its groundbreaking robotic eye surgery platform. The investment will support the company's preparations for first-in-human clinical trials of robotic cataract surgery, slated to begin later this year.

Addressing a Growing Need in Ophthalmology

The funding comes at a critical time for the ophthalmic field, which faces significant challenges in the coming years. According to forecasts from Vanderbilt University researchers, the number of ophthalmologists is expected to decline by 12% by 2035, while demand for vision treatment is projected to increase by 24% over the next decade.

Joseph Nathan, ForSight's co-founder and chief medical officer, emphasized the urgency of the situation: "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."

The Oryom Platform: Precision and Versatility in Eye Surgery

ForSight's Oryom platform is being developed as the world's first robotic surgery system for cataracts and other eye diseases. The technology aims to provide surgeons with enhanced dexterity, maneuverability, and ergonomics to perform precise and consistent ophthalmic procedures.

Key features of the Oryom platform include:

• The ability to navigate complex angles and reach any point within the eye
• Potential applications in glaucoma and retinal surgical treatments
• Successful completion of hundreds of procedures on animal eye models by over two dozen ophthalmic surgeons

Seth Winterroth, partner at Eclipse, one of the lead investors, commented on the platform's potential: "The company is tapping into a massive, underserved market with a breakthrough approach to ophthalmic surgery, positioning itself to set a new standard in eye care and drive innovation on a global scale."

Investor Confidence and Industry Support

The Series B funding round was led by Eclipse and included participation from notable investors such as:

• Intuitive Surgical co-founder Fred Moll
• Adani Group
• Reiya Ventures

This latest investment brings ForSight's total funding to $195 million, following a $55 million round in 2022. The company has also bolstered its strategic position by establishing an advisory board that includes industry veterans like Rony Abovitz, founder of Mako Surgical, and Fred Moll, who has also joined ForSight's board of directors.

As ForSight Robotics prepares for its first human clinical trials, the company's progress is being closely watched by the medical technology sector. With its innovative approach to addressing the growing demand for ophthalmic procedures, ForSight is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of eye care and surgical robotics.