Remedy Robotics this week announced it has entered a strategic partnership with the Australian Stroke Alliance to bring its remotely operated cardiovascular intervention robot to hospitals across Australia.
Under the agreement, the Alliance has named Remedy its exclusive robotics partner to expand access to rapid stroke treatment. The companies will work together to gain regulatory approval and deploy Remedy’s system nationally, aiming to improve access to endovascular thrombectomy.
Endovascular thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes blood clots from the brain. The treatment is considered the gold standard for stroke care but is typically available only at specialist hospitals in major cities in Australia, according to the company.
The partnership aims to bridge the gap between stroke onset and treatment by enabling specialists to perform procedures remotely using advanced surgical robotics.
San Francisco-based Remedy Robotics has developed what it calls the world’s first remotely operated endovascular surgical robot. The company holds 45 patents related to its N1 system and software, and collaborates globally on initiatives to expand access to stroke intervention. Remedy Robotics last week unveiled the robotic system.
“Partnering with the Australian Stroke Alliance and their world-leading clinical experts is a major step toward delivering rapid endovascular care to stroke and cardiovascular patients in Australia and worldwide,” said David Bell, CEO and cofounder of Remedy Robotics. “By combining Remedy’s breakthrough technology with the Alliance’s vision for stroke care, we’re accelerating access to life-saving technology for Australian patients and hospitals. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible in stroke and cardiovascular care when time to treatment is the single most important factor in determining outcomes.”
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia, according to the Stroke Foundation. One in four people are expected to experience a stroke in their lifetime, and the country’s geography makes timely access to specialist care difficult, particularly for rural and Indigenous communities.
“Partnering with Remedy Robotics allows us to reimagine what’s possible and bring expert stroke intervention to people in rural and remote communities, without delay. This collaboration is a major step toward closing disparities in outcomes between rural and urban Australians while saving lives across the continent,” said Professors Stephen Davis AO and Geoffrey Donnan AO, co-chairs of the Australian Stroke Alliance.
