ZAP Surgical developed ZAP-X for the streamlined treatment of brain tumors, lesions, and other conditions of the head and neck. | Source: ZAP Surgical Systems
ZAP Surgical Systems Inc. this week said it has successfully closed a $78 million Series E funding round. The developer of non-invasive, robotic brain-surgery tools said the new financing will advance the commercialization of its ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery platform.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a well-established procedure for the non-invasive treatment of many brain tumors including brain metastases, meningiomas, and other intracranial disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia. Considered an alternative to open surgery for these indications, SRS is an outpatient procedure delivered in one to five brief treatments, according to ZAP Surgical.
Compared to open surgery, however, the SRS procedure has proven to provide equivalent to superior outcomes, claimed the San Carlos, Calif.-based company. It requires no surgical incision, inflicts no pain, and typically requires little to no patient recovery period, it added.
“We founded ZAP Surgical to address a clear need: enabling more patients to access state-of-the-art radiosurgery without the prohibitive costs and infrastructure requirements that limit so many providers,” stated John R. Adler, M.D., professor emeritus of neurosurgery at Stanford University, as well as founder and CEO of ZAP Surgical Systems.
ZAP-X promises to expand care
Each year, more than 5 million patients globally could benefit from stereotactic radiosurgery, estimated ZAP Surgical Systems. However, because of the cost and complexity of legacy technologies, only about 200,000 patients receive optimal SRS care, it said.
With availability concentrated primarily among only the largest urban academic hospitals, world-class radiosurgery has remained out of reach for an estimated 96% of patients who might benefit, said the company.
ZAP Surgical has developed the ZAP-X platform, a dedicated, non-invasive cranial radiosurgery system that incorporates advanced gyroscopic technology. Its movement enables radiosurgical beams to be directed from thousands of potential angles for precise tumor targeting.
The company said its approach prioritizes the protection of healthy brain tissue and aims to preserve patient cognitive function. In addition, it said the vault-free and cobalt-free design of ZAP-X eliminates the need for costly shielded treatment rooms and removes the traditional requirement to manage, secure, and replace radioactive isotopes for radiation beam production.
Baheal Medical partners with ZAP Surgical
Qingdao Baheal Medical Inc. led ZAP Surgical’s Series E round, which also included participation from other strategic investors. Baheal Medical is a leading healthcare company in China.
“This partnership with Baheal Medical perfectly aligns with our mission, providing ZAP-X with a powerful platform to reach millions of underserved patients globally,” said Adler.
“We are thrilled to partner with ZAP Surgical in expanding access to cutting-edge radiosurgery technology,” added Fu Gang, chairman and president of Baheal Medical. “ZAP-X’s innovative approach aligns with our commitment to delivering advanced healthcare solutions that address pressing clinical needs. Together, we are poised to promote how brain tumors and other intracranial diseases are treated, providing more precise alternatives that greatly enhance patients’ quality of life.”
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