Promoting micro-surgical robotics from Dutch soil

There is a great need for such a robot, as not many surgeons can achieve the required precision. Microsure works closely with doctors from various centres both domestically and internationally. What makes the MUSA unique in the world of medical robots is that the MUSA can achieve extremely high precision, and that the robot, as the only one worldwide, enables surgeons to continue using their existing micro-instruments, so they don't have to incur high costs for expensive instruments intended for single use.

Sjaak: “Moreover, operating our robot can be learned by doctors in just a few days. Our future clients are convinced that this will enable many more precision interventions to be performed better.”

Karin and Kristie talk about the Life Sciences and Health theme within Invest-NL and how Microsure fits perfectly into this. Karin: “We want to make an impact by focusing on innovations that positively contribute to reducing healthcare costs for significant chronic conditions while providing better care and quality of life. Kristie: “In developing the MUSA, Microsure truly listened to the surgeons, its clients, ensuring that it’s an innovation aligned with market needs. That’s why we believe in the potential of the MUSA.”

Invest-NL participates with €1.35 million in the share issue via the Temporary Bridge Credit Program for Innovative Start-ups and Scale-ups (TOPSS). Through this program, Invest-NL ensures the availability of risk capital for innovative start-ups and scale-ups with good prospects that are affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

Within TOPSS, proposals are assessed based on criteria different from those for regular proposals. Kristie: “Due to the pandemic, the capacity in the hospital to conduct clinical studies was reduced, and Microsure resorted to this facility. Of course, it would be a shame if the development of promising innovations were halted by the pandemic. This is a good example of why we established the TOPSS program. Innovation must always continue.”

Invest-NL’s investment in Microsure is part of a funding round of €2.7 million, as an extension of the Series B round from 2020. This round was led by Invest-NL. The remaining 50% of the funding came from the existing shareholders BOM Brabant Ventures and venture capital investor Innovation Industries, as well as private investor TCIM. The funds will be used to continue the initial clinical deployment of the MUSA.

There is a huge transition taking place in healthcare. Sjaak: “We are living in a very exciting time. I believe that healthcare will look significantly different in 10 years due to major changes in education and prevention, advanced diagnostics, and new treatments, including robot-assisted surgery. In the Netherlands, we are leading the way in all three of these areas. I am convinced that molecular diagnostics will be able to detect many risky conditions at a much earlier stage in the next 10 years, allowing treatments to start much sooner. I feel privileged to work in medical product innovation. Health is a fundamental human need, and medical technology can help develop better, more efficient, and cheaper methods and products to make and keep people healthy.”