Huazhi Microinvasive Completes RMB 50 Million Series A Funding to Advance China's Leading Neurosurgical Robot

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned, On January 31, 2018, Huazhi Minimally Invasive, a leading domestic manufacturer of neurosurgical robots, announced the completion of its first round of financing amounting to RMB 50 million. The round was led by Tasly Capital, with China Renaissance Alpha serving as the exclusive financial advisor.

Huazhi Micro-Invasive is a leading Chinese medical technology company dedicated to the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of neurosurgical robotic systems.The neurosurgical navigation and positioning surgical robot under its brand isThe only neurosurgical surgical robot in China certified by the CFDA.

HuaZhi Micro-Invasive has accumulated 18 years of technological expertise and is the earliest enterprise in China engaged in the research and development of neurosurgical surgical robots. Its core product, the neurosurgical navigation and positioning surgical robot “"Stereotactic Neurosurgery System"It has won the Second Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award, the highest national honor in the field of medical robotics to date. It is also China’s first medical robot with fully independent intellectual property rights.

(One of the surgical robots currently under Huazhi Minimally Invasive)

Frameless stereotactic surgical robots represent one of the mainstream development trends and most cutting-edge technologies in minimally invasive neurosurgery in China. Compared with traditional craniotomy and frame-based stereotactic surgery, frameless stereotactic surgery offers broader indications and a wider applicable patient population. It addresses the limitations of traditional procedures that preclude their use in children, the elderly, comatose patients, and individuals with unique cranial structures, while significantly enhancing procedural safety. The minimally invasive nature of this approach substantially reduces surgical trauma, shortens both operative and anesthesia times, and improves postoperative recovery efficiency.

The Huazhi Minimally Invasive Neurosurgical Navigation and Positioning Surgical Robot is applicable to the treatment of nearly one hundred types of neurosurgical conditions. It supports procedures ranging from routine surgeries, such as intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation and biopsy, to advanced interventions like Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). By integrating computer-assisted surgical planning, navigational positioning, and an operational platform, and with comprehensive guidance from a team of surgical experts throughout the procedure, the system enhances the precision of complex surgeries while simplifying manual operational demands for surgeons, thereby significantly improving surgical efficiency at secondary and tertiary hospitals.

Over the past few years, neurosurgical navigation and positioning surgical robots, leveraging internet technology and integrating artificial intelligence and telemedicine, have accumulated data from over 10,000 literature-based cases and more than 40,000 clinical cases, truly filling the gap in China’s medical surgical robotics for brain stereotactic surgery.

In September 2017, Huazhi Minimally Invasive became the “National Stereotactic Minimally Invasive Technology Training Base,” approved and authorized by the Academic Department of the China Medical Education Association. Leveraging the association’s authoritative and professional platform, the company will rapidly roll out various specialized technical training programs for hundreds of thousands of neurosurgeons across China.Promote and introduce frameless stereotactic minimally invasive technology to over 3,000 tertiary hospitals, more than 14,000 secondary hospitals, and numerous primary healthcare institutions across China, providing greater support to physicians and patients.

Wang Rongjun, founder of Huazhi Minimally Invasive, stated, “As a leading enterprise in the field of medical surgical robots in China, this round of financing is of milestone significance to Huazhi. We possess substantial technological and product reserves. In addition to successfully renewing the CFDA registration certificate for our neurosurgical navigation and positioning surgical robot, we have completed the research and development of three new products. Huazhi aims to become an international leader in the field of minimally invasive precision medical devices within five years, providing doctors and patients with the most valuable products and comprehensive neurosurgical solutions.”

Li Sirui, General Manager of the Strategic Development Department at Tasly Capital, stated, “Tasly remains firmly optimistic about the significant opportunities in the high-end medical device sector within neurosurgery. Huazhi Microinvasive boasts premier technological expertise, R&D capabilities, and product proficiency in China. It is currently the only enterprise in the domestic neurosurgical surgical robot field with independent capabilities in R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization, as well as holding medical device certifications. Against the backdrop of national policies encouraging the industrialization of domestically produced high-end medical equipment and strongly supporting import substitution, our lead investment in this financing round for Huazhi Microinvasive aligns closely with Tasly’s strategic direction. The core team members possess extensive experience in high-end devices for neurosurgery and cardiology, medical imaging, and the development of navigation systems for surgical robots.”

“We are delighted to lead this round of financing for HuaZhi Micro-Invasive. Tasly and HuaZhi will engage in comprehensive alignment and collaboration. Currently, coordinated support efforts in academic promotion, clinical training, sales, and financial leasing solutions have been fully rolled out, further accelerating the marketization and internationalization of our products. Tasly looks forward to providing all-around support to its portfolio company, helping the team realize its original entrepreneurial vision and empowering HuaZhi Micro-Invasive to become a globally leading R&D enterprise in medical surgical robotics.”

Zhou Xiang, Managing Director of China Renaissance and Head of China Renaissance Alpha, stated, “China Renaissance Alpha is honored to have assisted the company in successfully completing this round of financing. Huazhi Micro-Invasive boasts a top-tier R&D team specializing in minimally invasive surgical robots and has accumulated extensive experience in product commercialization and promotion, making it a standout enterprise in China’s medical robotics sector. We are confident that, following this financing round, Huazhi Micro-Invasive will comprehensively accelerate its efforts in new product development, regulatory approval and commercialization, and product sales. Leveraging Tasly’s deep industrial resources, the company will further expedite the nationwide rollout of its products.”