Words by GOLD newsdesk
French medtech firm Robeauté has raised $28m to advance its innovative neurosurgical microrobot technology. The funding will drive the company’s US expansion, human trials planned for 2026, and preparations for FDA approval — laying the groundwork for a full commercial launch.
Robeauté’s microbots, devices the size of a grain of rice, are designed to navigate the brain’s curved pathways, safely accessing multiple sites. They could deliver drugs, implant electrodes, or gather real-time cellular data — aiming to break down barriers to treatment while unlocking insights into neuropathology.
Now in preclinical trials, the microrobots are being tested for advanced biopsy capabilities. The next phases will explore their potential in treatment delivery and real-time monitoring in partnership with pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
In a press release, Bertrand Duplat, co-founder and CEO, Robeauté, highlighted the promise of microrobots in medicine. “Current neurosurgery techniques are invasive and can be fatal, whilst it is difficult for treatment to pass the blood-brain barrier and get to its intended target.”
The microrobots’ potential ability to gather granular data and perform precise interventions could not only reshape neurosurgery but also aid drug discovery. Such advances could drive the development of more effective therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, addressing a significant unmet medical need.
Also commenting, Joana Cartocci, co-founder and COO, Robeauté, said: “We like to think of our microrobot as a brain gardener that can tend to the pathological organ from within, with a standard carrier that can be adapted to fit a variety of extensions. Our first application is advanced biopsy, but from there, the potential is boundless, unlocked through providing safe access and unprecedented site-specific data.”
The funding round was led by Plural, Cherry Ventur and Kindred Ventures. Other investors, including LocalGlobe, Think.Health, and previous backer APEX Ventures, joined alongside investment from Brainlab.
Ian Hogarth, Partner, Plural, remarked: “Robeauté’s technology doesn’t just have the potential to transform neurosurgery — it could also fundamentally change how drug companies find the best solutions for patients.” He added that by collecting patient brain data, the industry could gain critical insights into currently incurable conditions.
