Cardiff-based Alesi Surgical secures £5m to boost global sales of its innovative surgical smoke technology.
- The funding was led by Mercia Ventures with existing backers, raising Alesi’s total funds to over £21m.
- FDA clearance for IonPencil marks a breakthrough in routine surgery smoke management, covering 80% of procedures.
- New regulations in 18 US states highlight the growing importance of smoke management technology in surgeries.
- Alesi’s technology, proven superior to alternatives, aims to secure more regulations and expand into Europe and Japan.
Alesi Surgical, a medtech company originating from Cardiff University, has successfully raised £5m to further its global expansion plans. This recent equity round involved new lead investors Mercia Ventures alongside existing supporters IP Group and Panakès Partners. With this investment, the total capital raised by Alesi now surpasses £21m, all aimed at advancing its cutting-edge technology that addresses surgical smoke in operating theatres.
The firm’s groundbreaking technology has secured regulatory clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its IonPencil tool, designed for routine surgical procedures, representing approximately 80% of all surgeries. This milestone reflects the increasing recognition of the hazards posed by smoke from electronic surgical tools, which can impair visibility and pose health risks due to toxins and viruses. Legislation in 18 US states already mandates smoke management in surgical procedures, and more states are anticipated to follow.
Alesi’s smoke management system employs electrical filtration to extract surgical smoke, improving visibility and safety during operations. Originally developed for laparoscopic surgeries with its first-generation Ultravision system, the technology has been utilised in over 40,000 operations. Independent studies have confirmed Ultravision to be 23 times more effective than other solutions in reducing smoke emissions and the infectivity of smokeborne viruses.
The company has announced its intention to channel the newly raised funds into accelerating sales efforts in the United States and pursuing regulatory approvals in Europe and Japan. Located at the Cardiff Medicentre, Alesi employs 15 staff members dedicated to the enhancement of surgical environments.
Chief Executive Dominic Griffiths expressed enthusiasm over the positive reception from surgeons for the IonPencil, a key component in boosting compliance with emergent smoke management regulations. He welcomed Mercia Ventures as a new investor, expressing optimism that this financial backing will significantly contribute to Alesi’s growth trajectory.
Robert Hornby of Mercia Ventures shares this optimism, highlighting the alignment of new smoke management regulations with Alesi’s technological advancements. The introduction of IonPencil is expected to significantly broaden Alesi’s market reach beyond its established niche in laparoscopic systems.
Alesi Surgical is positioned for substantial growth as it expands its innovative smoke management solutions globally, driven by strategic investments and evolving regulations.
