Horizon Surgical Systems raises Series A toward robotic eye procedures

Horizon Surgical Systems Inc., which is advancing microsurgery with artificial intelligence-enabled robotics, this week announced that it has closed a $30 million Series A round. The privately held, micro-robotics company said it plans to use the funding to continue developing its technology platform, progress to in-human studies, and further build out its team.

“Both our team and investors recognize that our Polaris system is poised to capitalize on the next era in surgical robotics, enhancing the surgeon’s natural capabilities with state-of-the-art augmented visualization and precision robotic control,” stated Jean-Pierre Hubschman, M.D., founder and CEO of Horizon.

“As artificial intelligence continues to advance surgical robotics, I believe it will unlock unprecedented surgical assistance capabilities within the Polaris platform, driving unmatched accuracy, efficiency, and outcomes in the operating room,” he added.

Horizon Surgical develops Polaris

Horizon Surgical Systems spun out of UCLA in 2021. Its flagship Polaris platform uses surgical robotics, medical imaging, and AI to extend the capabilities of surgeons for eye procedures.

The Malibu, Calif.-based company said its assistive systems promise to enhance accessibility of care. With 1 in 4 people developing cataracts in their lifetimes, Polaris promises to address need for precision and augmenting scarce human experts while also shortening recovery times.

“With this firm vote of confidence from our investors and leadership, Horizon is moving swiftly toward our first in-human study,” said Hubschman.

ExSight Ventures joins board

ExSight Ventures and a major corporate investor led Horizon Surgical Systems’ financing. Main Street Advisors, the University of California through UC Investments, and others participated.

ExSight Ventures invests in early-stage companies developing ophthalmic diagnostic and treatment systems. The firm is led by two retinal surgeons and supports biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and software in ophthalmology.

In addition, Firas M. Rahhal, M.D., founder and general partner of ExSight Ventures, and William A. Link, Ph.D., have joined Horizon’s board of directors.

Dr. Link specializes in early-stage investing in biopharma and medical device technologies. He is a founder and managing partner of Flying L. Partners and a founder and managing director of Versant Ventures. Dr. Link was previously founder, chairman, and CEO of Chiron Vision, which was sold to Bausch and Lomb in 1997.

Prior to Chiron Vision, Dr. Link founded and served as President of American Medical Optics (AMO), a division of American Hospital Supply Corporation, which was sold to Allergan in 1986. Later, he served on the Board of AMO’s successor company, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), which was acquired by Abbott in 2009 and then by Johnson and Johnson in 2016.

“I am very gratified and motivated to join the Horizon board of directors, having observed and helped my colleague and friend, Dr. Jean-Pierre Hubschman, from the very early inception of this great technological and medical advancement,” noted Dr. Rahhal.

“Robotic cataract surgery makes a lot of sense,” he added. “The Horizon system will, I believe, make surgeons more consistent and faster, with far less complications. I look forward to this technology bringing better, more predictable, more accessible, and safer results for our patients in the coming years.”

ExSight co-founder, Dr. Michael Nissen, said: “Surgical robotics was a priority area for us when we founded ExSight Ventures. Horizon Robotics defines the inevitable future of ophthalmic surgery. The steady trajectory toward more predictable and safer surgery will advance the field of ophthalmology.”