As part of the focus realignment, the company is taking the next step by integrating Asensus Surgical into its broader organization. In 2024, the companies agreed to a deal in which Karl Storz acquired the surgical robot maker for 35¢ per share in cash. With the deal, Karl Storz brought in the Senhance surgical robot platform, Intelligent Surgical Unit (ISU) and the next-generation Luna robot.
Karl Storz said next steps include integrating Asensus’ offerings into its global R&D organization. However, it plans to discontinue activities related to the Luna hardware platform. It expects to take expertise into its wider portfolio. Luna was supposed to deliver a next-generation surgical platform and instruments, plus real-time intraoperative clinical intelligence.
The changes mean the layoff of 108 employees, according to the state of North Carolina’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice. Layoffs go into effect on March 1, 2027.
Additionally, the company will initiate an orderly end of service for the Senhance system and retire the Asensus brand.
With its shift, the company wants to address four core pillars: Specialty Innovations, Smart Instruments and Devices, Integrated Ecosystems, and Intelligent Imaging. It hopes to lead the development of a more connected, software-enabled OR.
Karl Storz said adding Asensus’ software engineering expertise, clinical data and AI technologies can power its surgical ecosystem. This can accelerate progress in intelligent imaging, connected systems and data-driven support across its full portfolio.
Additionally, the deal strengthens Karl Storz’s position in surgical robotics. It said the space will remain a “valuable layer of the surgical environment for certain applications and patient groups.” The company hopes to integrate this layer into its surgical ecosystem, rather than pursue the development standalone robotics platforms.
Karl Storz wrote:
“As surgery evolves from a race over individual devices into a contest over the connected operating room, Karl Storz is choosing its ground deliberately—and competing from strength. As a family-owned company in its third generation, Karl Storz invests for decades rather than quarters. Investment is now being deployed toward the layers of surgery where the company already leads and where it believes it can best define the future of the operating room.”
