Alesi Surgical, a UK-based startup developing a novel technology to manage smoke created by surgical tools in operating theatres, has raised £5 million in funding. The round was led by Mercia Ventures (which invested in Warehow and Wobble Genomics) alongside existing investors IP Group and Panakès Partners. With this, the total funding raised by the company accounts for £21 million.
Funds utilisation
The latest funding will enable it to drive sales in the US market and to seek regulatory approvals for its products in Europe and Japan.
Robert Hornby, Investor Director at Mercia Ventures, added: “The introduction of new regulations will drive uptake of smoke management solutions in the years ahead. Alesi’s technology offers many advantages over current systems. The company has already established a name for itself with its laparoscopy systems but the introduction of the IonPencil will open up a much wider market. We look forward to supporting Dominic and the team in this new chapter in the company’s growth.”
What challenge does it tackle?
The hazards of smoke generated by electronic surgical tools are being recognised increasingly. Smoke reduces visibility and fogs cameras during keyhole surgery, interrupting workflow. It also creates health risks for theatre staff due to the presence of toxins and viruses in human tissue.
Already, legislation has been passed in 18 US states requiring a smoke management policy in all surgical procedures, with more expected to follow. However current techniques, such as extraction tubes which must be attached to surgical instruments, are cumbersome, noisy and unpopular with surgeons. Alesi’s system uses electrical filtration to remove surgical smoke from the atmosphere
What does the company do?
Founded as a spin-out from Cardiff University in 2020 and led by CEO Dominic Griffiths, Alesi’s first-generation Ultravision system was designed for laparoscopic surgery and has been used in over 40,000 procedures. Independent research has shown that it is 23 times better than alternative solutions at minimising smoke release during laparoscopies and that it captures and reduces the infectivity of viruses in the smoke.
The latest version, Ultravision2 can be integrated into surgical tools and existing theatre equipment. It is the first integrated tool for use in laparoscopic surgery. Ultravision uses the process of electrostatic precipitation to eliminate surgical smoke and provide a continuously clear visual field during laparoscopic surgery without the need for CO2 exchange.
Its FDA-approved IonPencil is the first surgical tool to incorporate its technology in routine surgery, which represents approximately 80% of all surgical procedures. It offers smoke management solutions for all surgical procedures that create smoke.
Dominic Griffiths, CEO of Alesi Surgical, commented: “We have been overwhelmed with the positive feedback we received from surgeons during the development of the IonPencil. As they have been reluctant to adopt the current systems, we believe our device will greatly improve compliance with new legislation. We are also pleased to welcome Mercia Ventures as a new investor alongside our existing investors and are eager to put this latest capital to good use to fuel our future growth.”
