News of the appointment comes just weeks after CMR unveiled its next-generation Versius universal surgical robotic concept for minimal access surgery. The cost-effective, flexible, modular system enables numerous robotic arms to be used to provide the versatility and dexterity necessary for a whole range of different laparoscopic procedures.
Pordage (pictured) joins CMR from one of the region’s top technology brands – product design and development firm Cambridge Consultants – where he was marketing communications director. He was part of the management team that grew the company – regarded as one of the founding fathers of the Cambridge technology cluster – by more than 500% and established offices on three continents. Prior to that, his international career included working for global professional services firm KMPG.
“I am delighted to be joining CMR at this exciting time as it transforms itself from an ambitious start-up company into a global player that is leading the way for the UK when it comes to next-generation surgical robotics,” said Pordage.
CMR secured $20.3 million in a Series A funding round last year and is currently evaluating the ability of its Versius system to perform upper gastrointestinal, gynaecological, colorectal and renal surgery in cadaveric trials. The system has already demonstrated the ability to visualise and access all these parts of the body – and to perform tissue manipulation, suturing, needle driving and electrosurgery.
CMR has so far built 20 proprietary robotic arms, built and tested nine different variants of its fully articulated 5mm instruments, and conducted 11 usability studies. To date, the Versius system has been used by 32 surgeons.
Martin Frost, CEO, commented: “Our mission is to make surgical robotics commonplace in every hospital by providing a cost-effective, flexible, next-generation solution capable of carrying out 90% of minimal access procedures. I am very pleased to welcome Patrick to our world-class team. His track record of success in creating a global brand that leads the way in innovation – particularly when it comes to medical technology – will enable us to accelerate our growth and turn our vision into reality.”
About the CMR surgical robotic system
CMR’s modular system uses state-of-the-art 3D high-definition imagery, significantly enhanced flexibility, and force feedback to provide surgeons with life-like sensitivity.
The system overcomes obstacles to widespread adoption of robotic minimal access surgery, namely robot size, instrument size, versatility, port placement, cost and ease of use, allowing the system to be highly utilised and cost-comparable to manual laparoscopic surgery.
About CMR Surgical
CMR Surgical is a private, British, company developing the next-generation universal robotic system, Versius®, for minimal access (or “keyhole”) surgery.
The vision behind CMR is to make minimal access surgery universally accessible and affordable, transforming the existing market for surgical robotics and addressing the six million people who still undergo open surgery each year.
Global annual revenues for robot-assisted minimal access surgery are presently approximately $4 billion and are anticipated to reach $20 billion by 2025.1
CMR Surgical, formed in 2014, has its headquarters in Cambridge, United Kingdom and is backed by an international shareholder base of specialist and generalist investors. The Company achieved the registration of its Quality Management System to ISO 13485:2003 by Underwriters Laboratories LLC® (‘UL’), and the status as a UL Registered Firm, in September 2015.
For further information, please visit: https://cmrsurgical.com/
(1) Industry Forecast, Accuray Research
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Contacts:
CMR Surgical
Martin Frost
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 755 300
Email: martin.frost@cmedrobotics.com
Consilium Strategic Communications
Mary-Jane Elliott, Ivar Milligan
Tel: +44 20 3709 5700
Email: CMR@consilium-comms.com
CMR Surgical
Patrick Pordage
Head of Marketing
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 755 388
Email: patrick.pordage@cmedrobotics.com
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