Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has transformed patient care with faster recovery times and fewer complications. Yet, it’s still underused globally—only about 40% of surgeries in the U.S. use MIS techniques. CMR Surgical, a UK-based unicorn, is working to change that with its user-friendly and cost-effective Versius robotic system, designed to make MIS more accessible across hospitals worldwide.
In its latest funding milestone, CMR Surgical has raised over $200 million in a mix of equity and debt, signaling strong investor confidence in its mission. The round was backed by all major existing investors, with new debt financing led by Trinity Capital. This brings CMR’s total funding to $1.4 billion and follows its $3 billion valuation from September 2023.
Dan Moore, Non-Executive Chairman of CMR Surgical, emphasized the significance of the investment: “This latest funding reaffirms the global confidence in surgical robotics and CMR’s leadership. It provides Max and his team the resources needed to move forward with their strategic expansion.”
The fresh capital will support CMR’s continued global rollout of the Versius Surgical Robotic System, especially as it targets entry into the U.S. market. A portion of the funds will also fuel ongoing product development and the launch of the newly upgraded Versius Plus system.
Making Keyhole Surgery Accessible: CMR Surgical’s Mission
Founded in 2014 in Cambridge, England, CMR Surgical was born out of a shared goal among its five co-founders—Mark Slack, Luke Hares, Martin Frost, Paul Roberts, and Keith Marshall—to address the lack of access to MIS worldwide. They noticed that many patients, even in well-developed healthcare systems, couldn’t benefit from keyhole procedures due to the high cost and complexity of current robotic tools.
The company’s goal is clear: to democratize surgical robotics by building intuitive and affordable systems that help hospitals deliver safer, more efficient care. Through Versius, CMR aims to reduce surgical complications, ease the workload on clinicians, and lower healthcare costs—all while improving patient outcomes.
From Startup to Global Player in Surgical Robotics
CMR Surgical’s growth has been rapid. Its flagship Versius system, which features a compact and modular design, has already been deployed in over 30 countries and used in more than 30,000 surgeries. Versius supports a broad range of procedures, including colorectal, gynecological, urological, thoracic, and general surgeries.
This widespread adoption places Versius as the second most widely used soft tissue surgical robot globally, trailing only Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system. Still, CMR is carving out its niche by offering portability, lower costs, and surgeon-centered features, making it ideal for mid-sized hospitals where space and budgets are tighter.
Versius vs. the Competition: Standing Out in a Crowded Field
The surgical robotics market is getting increasingly competitive. Giants like Medtronic, with its Hugo robot, and Johnson & Johnson’s Ottava platform, are pushing hard to claim their share. But CMR believes Versius holds the edge with its modularity, flexible deployment, and ease of use—key selling points for hospitals looking to upgrade without overhauling their entire infrastructure.
Massimiliano Colella, CEO of CMR Surgical, highlighted the company’s momentum: “We’ve reached a pivotal stage. Versius offers real clinical value, and we’re ready to deepen our market presence—especially in the U.S.—while continuing to grow in regions we already serve.”
Pushing Innovation Forward: Trials and New Applications
CMR isn’t stopping at expansion. The company is also advancing clinical research to broaden Versius’s use cases. Two major studies are underway: one focusing on pediatric surgery—the first of its kind using Versius in a multicenter pediatric trial—and another on transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Both aim to demonstrate how the system can perform across diverse surgical specialties.
Rob Lake, Senior Managing Director for Life Sciences at Trinity Capital, echoed this sentiment: “CMR is redefining what’s possible in surgical robotics. Versius has already proven its value in real-world operating rooms, and we’re confident in the team’s ability to scale globally.”
Backed by the UK Government and Global Investors
The UK’s Science Minister, Lord Vallance, praised the recent funding as a testament to the strength of Britain’s life sciences sector: “This $200M+ round is a vote of confidence in surgical robotics and in the UK’s innovation ecosystem. Supporting companies like CMR Surgical is critical to our ambition of creating high-quality jobs and driving global leadership in healthcare technologies.”
As CMR Surgical continues its journey, the focus remains clear: accelerate access to minimally invasive surgery, empower surgeons with smarter tools, and transform surgical care for patients everywhere.
