Versius®, a next-generation Surgical Robotic System has received TGA Approval in Australia following a successful launch into the NHS

CMR Surgical (CMR), and LifeHealthcare move towards commercialisation in Australia following the successful launch of the next-generation surgical robotic system, Versius® into the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), with further NHS hospitals scheduled to introduce the system in 2020.

Since its introduction into NHS Lothian in Edinburgh, Scotland and Milton Keynes University Hospital in England, Versius has been used to perform a range of colorectal surgeries, helping to treat patients with serious bowel disease or bowel cancer. Versius is designed to help increase the uptake of minimal access surgery (MAS), offering a number of potential benefits compared to open surgery, including the ability to reduce rates of infection, pain and scarring. MAS – also referred to as keyhole or laparoscopic surgery – is also linked to faster recovery in hospital, with fewer post-operative bed days required for recovery. The introduction into the NHS has the potential to deliver a cost-effective and versatile robotic assisted minimal access surgery programme for the health system.

Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said: “We are delighted to be creating history and to be at the very forefront of medical science. Our team at the Western General Hospital are the first in Europe and among only a handful in the world to pioneer this new type of robotic surgery. This is a really exciting development and is a credit to the team, who are determined to push boundaries to provide the best patient care possible.”

With one of the largest surgical robotics markets in the world, CMR Surgical and LifeHealthcare will now work towards commercialising Versius in Australia. Versius has secured Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval for use in general surgery, gynaecological surgery, and urological surgery, and is now included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) register+, paving the way for its entry into a leading surgical innovators market. Per Vegard Nerseth, Chief Executive Officer, CMR Surgical commented: “We’re thrilled to be working towards launching in Australia. Australia is the home of surgical innovation and we see a strong place for Versius. The introduction of Versius to the Australian market is part of our wider mission to bring minimal access surgery to everyone around the world who needs it, and we look forward to working with LifeHealthcare in what we anticipate to be a game changing year for surgical robotics in Australia.”

Matt Muscio, Chief Executive Officer, LifeHealthcare commented:

“The success of the launch of Versius into the NHS cements its suitability for the Australian market. We are excited that the TGA has registered Versius and included the system on the ARTG. Australia has always been an early adopter of new technology, making it an ideal early market for Versius. We anticipate strong demand for Versius and look forward to working with hospitals and surgeons to bring this transformative new technology to the market.”

CMR Surgical and LifeHealthcare are planning to install Versius into early adopting hospitals in Australia in 2020.