FDA clears Ares robot-assisted bronchoscopy device from Auris Surgical Robotics

The FDA last month granted 510(k) clearance to the Ares robot-assisted bronchoscopy platform developed by stealthy Auris Surgical Robotics.

San Carlos, Calif.-based Auris was co-founded by medical robotics pioneer Dr. Frederic Moll, who’s behind a slew of other startups in the space, including market leader Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG); Mako Surgical, acquired in 2013 for $1.7 billion by Stryker (NYSE:SYK); Restoration Robotics and its Artas hair restoration platform; and Hansen Medical, which Auris agreed to acquire for $80 million in April.

Auris revealed in a September 2015 regulatory filing that it reeled in a $150 million funding round from 25 unnamed investors. And in April 2014, Auris said it raised more than $34 million in an equity round from 20 backers; that filing listed several executives from private equity shops as directors, including Ajay Royan of Mithril Capital Management, Robert Higgins of Highland Capital Partners, Peter Hébert of Lux Capital and Dr. Bijan Salehizadeh of the NaviMed Capital.

In October 2013, Auris and Biolase (NSDQ:BIOL) inked a deal to collaborate on developing a cataract-removal ophthalmologic robot, using Biolase’s WaterLase cutting technology to create a prototype.