Listen to this article
SectionStar is a tissue sectioning and transfer robot designed to improve capacity, reliability and consistency. | Source: Clarapath
Robotics and automation systems have been introduced into healthcare as a way to alleviate workforce issues and standardize medical practice, but most of the progress has been focused on surgical robots and physical rehabilitation. ClaraPass wants to change that.
Last week, the Hawthorne, New York-based company announced it had raised $36 million in Series B-1 funding. ClaraPass said it aims to modernize and transform the way pathology labs process tissue. This latest round brings its total funding to $75 million.
According to the company, the SectionStar system combines robotics, artificial intelligence and automation to modernize the way tissue samples are processed in laboratories. With its latest funding round, ClaraPass asserted it will develop and deploy “a new category of healthcare robotics, machine vision and digital automation tools” to “elevate the standard of care for hospitals and patients.”
Pathology can benefit from automation
The field of pathology involves the microscopic examination of cells and tissues, Clarapas explains. This research is fundamental to the research, diagnosis and treatment pathways of nearly all types of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases and degenerative disorders.
More than 12 million human and animal biopsies are performed each year in the U.S., with millions more performed for biopharmaceutical safety. According to Clarapas, labs are facing a multifaceted crisis, including severe laboratories shortages, rising caseloads, and outdated manual processes for preparing tissue samples.
“Pathology labs have not seen the same level of technological innovation as other medical specialties for a long time,” said Greg Sosaman, M.D., director of pathology and laboratory medicine at investment firm Ochsner Health and president-elect of the American College of Clinical Pathology. “ClaraPath demonstrates the right combination of technical and robotic expertise and medical workflow experience.”
Clarapath says SectionStar can improve slide quality, reduce processing time, and lower costs. | Source: Clarapath
Clarapath Commercializes SectionStar
Northwell Ventures led ClaraPass’ Section B-1 round, with participation from new strategic investors including CU Healthcare Innovation Fund, Mayo Clinic and Ochsner Ventures.
“Innovation is ingrained in Northwell’s culture and is integral to how we approach investing in new solutions that improve patient care and reduce costs,” said Rich Murray, CEO of Northwell Holdings Inc. “Seven years ago we selected ClaraPath as a company with a bold vision to fundamentally change laboratory medicine, and we are committed to continuing to support the company’s progressive efforts to transform medical diagnostics.”
Clarapas said it plans to use the new funding to further accelerate SectionStar’s commercialization, and the funds will also be used to expand sales, service and precision manufacturing capabilities, as well as continue research and development.
“Our strategic investors share our mission to revolutionize this critical aspect of patient care that has long been overlooked,” said Eric Feinstein, CEO of ClaraPass.
“As labs adopt digital pathology downstream, up-front automation will be critical to establish consistent results and deliver best-in-class samples for diagnostic review,” he added. “Our automation and new digital tools will collect and aggregate never-before-seen data, ultimately benefiting patients with faster results and less subjectivity.”
Register now and start saving.
