The Sentire system features a lightweight surgeon’s side arm, tremor filtration and motion control technology to support complex surgeries in confined spaces. | Source: Cornerstone Robotics
Cornerstone Robotics Ltd., a developer of surgical robots, announced Monday that it has raised $70 million in Series C funding. The company said the funding will advance its efforts toward commercialization, surgical robotics product development, clinical trials and regulatory approval.
“Cornerstone Robotics has experienced several important milestones over the past year,” said Professor Samuel Au, Founder and CEO of Cornerstone Robotics. “We are sincerely grateful to our shareholders for trusting and supporting us. “This milestone not only recognizes our team’s efforts to translate surgical robotics innovations into practical applications, but also demonstrates our commitment to long-term, high-quality development.”
Founded in 2019, Cornerstone has offices in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Clinical trials have been completed in various specialties, including urology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and thoracic surgery. The company explained that it has laid the foundation for overseas expansion based on its extensive expertise.
Sentier obtains Chinese certification
Through research and development and vertical supply chain integration, Cornerstone Robotics has formed partnerships with leading medical centers in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Europe. These include the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Medicine and the Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen School of Medicine.
In September 2024, Cornerstone Robotics obtained China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approval for its endoscopic surgical system, Sentire. Developed entirely in-house, the system integrates clinical expertise, mechanical and electrical engineering, software algorithms and visual imaging.
“After five years of hard work, we have achieved independent R&D and manufacturing and received recognition from NMPA in 2024,” Au added. “In the future, our team will continue to innovate, expand our global market, advance international certifications, and collaborate with more partners to create value in the intelligent medical industry and contribute to a better future for humanity.”
Last year, Cornerstone Robotics also established a site in the UK. The goal of this collaboration is to promote cutting-edge innovation, support cutting-edge research and enhance the company’s ability to serve patients in Europe and global markets.
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Cornerstone Receives Vote of Confidence from VC
EQT, a global investment organization that manages private capital and real assets, led Cornerstone Robotics’ funding round. Qiming Venture Partners, Alpha JWC Ventures, Innovation and Technology Venture Fund, eGarden Ventures, CTS Funds, K2VC, Long-Z Capital, etc. also participated in this round.
“The development and clinical application of surgical robots continues to lead to improved treatment outcomes.” William WhoManaging Partner of Qiming Venture Partners. “Since Qiming Venture Partners invested in Cornerstone Robotics, we have seen the company’s product performance steadily improve and its team continue to grow.”
“We believe Cornerstone Robotics is well positioned to deliver increasingly competitive products and greater clinical value to our customers around the world,” he added. “We are excited to provide our continued investment and support as we work together toward new milestones.”
In addition to receiving funding from a group of renowned investors, the company also received investment from the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s Innovation and Technology Committee. Cornerstone said the support will enable the company to expand into key regions in Europe, Southeast Asia and other regions.
“There is an urgent need to ensure that patients around the world have access to high-quality robotic-assisted surgical care, but there is a pressing need to provide the level of safety, precision and rigor required for these important surgeries,” said Dr. Clara Ho. “There are very few companies.” I’m Gordon Shaw, a partner on the advisory team at EQT Private Capital Asia. “Cornerstone Robotics stands out as a leader in the field, combining cutting-edge medical robotics with a focus on expanding access to care.”
