Galen Robotics

Galen Robotics, Inc. is a medical technology company focused on commercializing a cooperative robotic surgical assistant. The firm was established in 2016 to advance research originating from the Laboratory of Computational Sensing and Robotics at Johns Hopkins University. The company was founded by seasoned entrepreneurs Bruce Lichorowic and Dave Saunders, who identified an opportunity to apply their high-tech and software backgrounds to the medical device sector. The foundational technology, the Robotic ENT Microsurgical System (REMS), was developed by Dr. Russell Taylor and Dr. Kevin Olds at Johns Hopkins.

The company's core product is the Galen ES Surgical System, a robotic platform designed to assist surgeons during minimally invasive procedures. It functions as a cooperative system, or "cobot," that works in tandem with the surgeon's movements to provide stability and precision, particularly in the narrow corridors of microsurgery. A key feature is its ability to hold instruments steady, counteracting natural hand tremors and fatigue, which is critical in delicate operations such as those in the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) speciality. The system is instrument-agnostic, meaning it can be used with a variety of existing surgical tools. In September 2023, the Galen ES system received De Novo classification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in rigid microlaryngeal procedures. The company is targeting further applications in neurosurgery, spine, and cardiothoracic procedures.

Galen Robotics operates on a Digital-Surgery-as-a-Service (DSaaS) business model. This pay-per-use approach was adopted to lower the barrier to entry for hospitals by eliminating the significant upfront capital expenditure typically associated with surgical robotics. This model became particularly relevant as hospitals faced financial pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has raised significant capital to support its operations, including a $15 million Series A round, to finalize product development, complete the FDA submission process, and build out its commercial infrastructure. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the company maintains a close research partnership with Johns Hopkins University.

Keywords: surgical robotics, medical devices, microsurgery, ENT surgery, cooperative robot, cobot, Digital-Surgery-as-a-Service, DSaaS, minimally invasive surgery, surgical assistant, robotic platform, FDA clearance, Johns Hopkins University, neurosurgery, spine surgery, MedTech, surgical instrument stabilization, robotic assisted surgery, laryngeal surgery, Bruce Lichorowic