iRobot Corp. (NSDQ: IRBT), famous for their Roomba automated cleaning robots, invested $6 million and launched an extended partnership with InTouch Health, which develops telemedicine systems for providing remote health care.
The venture builds on an existing relationship that the companies announced last summer, under which the companies engaged in a development and licensing agreement.
The companies launched the partnership to explore opportunities for health care applications on iRobot platforms, which are best known for advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence in robots that clean pools, gutters and carpets. iRobot also develops military robots, like the battle-tested bomb-disarming Packbot.
InTouch develops instruments to help physicians perform real-time remote consults with patients through FDA-cleared telemedicine systems.
Under the expanded agreement, InTouch will provide iRobot with a foot in the door with hospitals, emergency care facilities, patient wards and operating and procedure rooms, according to a press release.
Here’s a roundup of other dealflow and investment news:
Athersys lands $3.6M for stem cell treatment
Athersys Inc. (NSDQ:ATHX) announced today grant funding aggregating $3.6 million to further advance its MultiStem(R) product programs and cell therapy platform. Read more
Joslin Diabetes wins $5M from Mass. Life Sciences
Joslin Diabetes Center received a $5 million grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, one of the highest amounts ever received to support diabetes research in Massachusetts. Read more
Dana-Farber touts $10M grant for cancer imaging
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute won $10 million in grant funding from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to support cancer imaging research. Read more
Mevion closes $45M round
Mevion Medical Systems closed a $45 Million investment, which will be used to accelerate the manufacturing and worldwide deployment of the MEVION S250. Read more
ProUroCare renews its Central Bank promissory note
ProUroCare Medical Inc. renewed its $100,0025 promissory note with Central Bank for an additional 1-year term. Read more
EDAP TMS swaps debt and warrants for term notes
Edap TMS SA (NSDQ:EDAP) restructured its outstanding convertible debt through a privately negotiated exchange with its existing holders of senior debentures and warrants. Read more
InterValve raises $4.7M of a $8M round
InterValve Inc. raised $4.7 million of a hoped-for $8 million equity funding round from 12 unnamed investors. Read more
Synchro lands $250K investment
Synchro Medical Innovation closed a $250,00 funding round from one unnamed investor. Read more
Checkpoint rakes in $3M in funding
Neurodevice firm Checkpoint Surgical completed a$1.7 million Series B investment round led by the NDI Healthcare Fund in December 2011, and secured non-dilutive funding of over $1.3 million, including a $1.065 million Innovation Ohio loan and a $245,000 federal grant. Read more
nContact Surgical raises $400k
nContact Surgical Inc. closed a debt funding round of more than $400,000 from t a single unnamed investor. Read more
S.E.A. Medical closes $3M Series B round
S.E.A. Medical Systems Inc. closed a $3 million Series B investment with Chicago-based venture capital firm JK&B Capital, the proceeds of which will allow S.E.A. Medical to accelerate development of its IV products and expand its technology into additional medical applications. Read more
Spectrascience lands $570k
Spectrascience Inc. raised $570,000 through subscriptions for unsecured convertible debentures. Read more
CartiHeal wins $5 million for cell-free cartilage regeneration
CartiHeal Ltd raised $5 million in venture funding from two US-Israeli venture capital firms, Accelmed and Access Medical Ventures. The financing will be used to prepare its first product launch early 2013 in Europe. Read more
