Intuitive Surgical launches $100-million fund to advance minimally invasive care

Intuitive Surgical on Tuesday announced the launch of its $100-million venture capital fund that will invest in advancements of minimally invasive care. "The future of minimally invasive care spans the patient journey from early diagnosis to treatment and beyond," remarked Julian Nikolchev, president of Intuitive Ventures, adding that the fund "is investing in cutting-edge innovation across the continuum of care to bring the future forward."

Specifically, the fund is focused on investment opportunities in digital tools, precision diagnostics, focal therapeutics and platform technologies that advance positive outcomes in healthcare. The fund, which marks Intuitive's entrance into the venture capital space, will "support independent initiatives in the direct and adjacent fields of minimally invasive care," the company said.

Nikolchev, who joined Intuitive in 2019, will continue to serve as its senior vice president of corporate development and strategy. Meanwhile, Oliver Keown, who also joined Intuitive last year, is the director of the Intuitive Ventures fund.

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