Accomplished MedTech Executive Appointed to Lead Activ Surgical, Advanced Surgical Robotics Company

BOSTON, March 1, 2019

Activ Surgical, a pioneering startup focused on delivering advanced imaging and diagnostic accuracy during robotic surgery, today announced the appointment of Todd Usen as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Usen is an accomplished and seasoned leader with more than 25 years of medical device and healthcare experience. He has a proven track record of leading, developing and executing on commercialization strategies and driving market development initiatives.

“I’m incredibly thrilled to have Todd join and lead the Activ Surgical team. Todd’s outstanding experience and leadership in the endoscopic space provides a natural synergy to Activ’s disruptive vision of delivering enhanced surgical vision and intelligence,” commented Peter Kim, M.D., Co-founder and Chief Science Officer for Activ Surgical.

Usen comes to Activ Surgical after serving as President, Medical Systems Group for Olympus for the past 3 years. Prior to that Usen spent nearly eight years at Smith & Nephew in senior leadership roles, including President of the U.S. Orthopaedics group. Usen began his medtech career at Boston Scientific, holding multiple leadership positions within the Endoscopy division, and later was appointed to VP, Sales for their Neurovascular division.

“It’s a tremendous privilege to be selected to lead Activ Surgical as its first CEO,” commented Usen. “I look forward to working with our Board, Advisors and Activ Surgical team to realize the full potential of our unique and proprietary technology.”

“Todd’s leadership will be an asset to Activ Surgical,” said Jonathan Ellman, Activ Surgical Board member and CEO, GreatPoint Foundry. “His exceptional experience in the healthcare space will help us deliver the benefits of Activ Surgical’s pioneering technology to surgeons and their patients around the world.“

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About Activ Surgical

Founded in 2017, Activ Surgical is a new breed medical device start-up focused on improving patient outcomes and reducing costs to healthcare systems through the integration of advanced computer vision, artificial intelligence and robotics designed to seamlessly fit within operating room workflow while providing advanced imaging and diagnostic accuracy during surgery.

More information can be found at www.activsurgical.com.

For more information:
Michael Ruehlman
GM, Activ Surgical
617.333.8162 x200

2019 PANELS & EVENTS (Past)

Activ Surgical Makes Key Appointments to Board of Directors and Advisory Board

BOSTON,  July 9, 2019

Activ Surgical, a pioneering software-centric and hardware agnostic Digital Intelligence medical device company focused on improving surgical efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes and accessibility today announced that Emily Casey, Senior Associate at DNS Capital and Ashok Krishnamurthi, Managing Partner, GreatPoint Ventures (GPV) have been appointed new Board members.

In addition, Dr. Adrian Park, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD and Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Dr. Erik Wilson, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and the Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas (MIST), have joined the Company’s Advisory Board.

Board of Directors:

Emily Casey is a member of DNS Capital, which is the private investment office for Gigi Pritzker Pucker, Michael Pucker and their immediate family. DNS Capital takes a long-term and flexible approach to investing, and focuses on people, relationships and culture. Prior to joining DNS Capital, Emily was an investment banking analyst in the Global Industrials Group at Goldman Sachs. Emily received her B.B.A. in Finance with Highest Distinction from the University of Iowa.

Ashok Krishnamurthi is a serial entrepreneur and investor focused on enterprise IT, and the intersection of computer science and life sciences. Most recently he founded two medical related companies: CAPP Medical, a liquid biopsy company for cancer diagnosis that he sold to Roche Diagnostics, and CiberMed which focuses on biomarker discovery. Previously he founded Xsigo, a provider of advanced data center connectivity, which he sold to Oracle. Prior to Xsigo, Ashok was one of the early leaders of Juniper Networks where he helped develop many of the products that power today’s internet, and which was one of the largest venture investment returns of all time.

“I’m confident that Emily’s and Ashok’s unique experience and perspective will provide outstanding development and growth guidance as we prepare for our first commercial launch in the spring 2020,” commented Todd Usen, Chief Executive Officer, Activ Surgical.

Ms. Casey and Mr. Krishnamurthi replace Jonathan Ellman and Seth Teicher. “I’d like to extend my deep gratitude to Jonathan and Seth for the service to the Board. Their insights and expertise were incredibly valuable to me and the Activ Surgical team,” added Usen.

Advisory Board:

Dr. Adrian Park has made major advancements in the improvement of laparoscopic techniques for complex hernia repair, foregut and spleen surgery. He is a member of the American Surgical Association, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, American College of Surgeons and the College of Surgeons of Central Eastern and Southern Africa.

He is editor-in-chief of Surgical Innovation, and is the author of over 250 scholarly articles and book chapters. He is widely published in the areas of hernia, solid organ laparoscopy, foregut surgery, surgical education, the “Operating Room of the Future” and surgical ergonomics. Dr. Park holds 20 patents and has been instrumental in the development and application of new technologies in endoscopic surgery.

Dr. Erik Wilson is Co-Founder of the Texas Association for Bariatric Surgery and Houston Bariatric Society. He is a founder and the Past President of the Clinical Robotic Surgery Association. He is a leader in endoluminal and robotic General Surgery since 2002 with over 1000 cases performed robotically. Dr. Wilson specializes in weight loss surgery, reflux surgery, hernias and minimally invasive general surgery.

Dr. Park and Dr. Wilson join Lukas Biewald, Dr. Uma Duvvuri, John Galeotti, PhD., and Dr. Steven Schwaitzberg as members of the Activ Surgical Advisory Board.

“I’m pleased to welcome Dr. Park and Dr. Wilson as the newest members of our Advisory Board,” said Usen. “With the addition of Dr. Park and Dr. Wilson we now have six seasoned leaders who will have a meaningful impact on the future of Activ Surgical.”

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About Activ Surgical

Founded in 2017, Activ Surgical is a first-of-its kind digital surgery company focused on improving surgical efficiency, accuracy, patient outcomes and accessibility for both endoscopic and robotically-assisted procedures. Activ Surgical’s scalable and patent-protected surgical software platform technology is driven by computer vision, artificial intelligence, analytics and machine learning to enhance a surgeon’s intra-operative decision making, and reduce unintended and preventable surgical complications.

ActivSight (the company’s first planned commercial launch in fall 2020) works dynamically and seamlessly to “ACTIVATE” any installed base of surgical visualization and robotics system to provide real time intraoperative visual data and images not currently available to surgeons through existing technologies.

More information can be found at www.activsurgical.com.

For more information:
Claire Nolan
Operations Analyst, Activ Surgical
617.333.8162 x401

Activ Surgical Readies for 2020 Commercial Launch;
Closes Additional $11 Million from Series A Round

BOSTON, October 29, 2019

Activ Surgical, a pioneering digital intelligence company focused on improving surgical efficiency, accuracy, patient outcomes and accessibility, today announced the close of an additional $11 million from Series A round funding. The financing was led by DNS Capital, and will allow the company to accelerate commercialization of its proprietary, software-centric and hardware agnostic technology. Other investors in the round include GreatPoint Ventures (GPV), Tao Capital Partners, SONY Innovation Fund, Rising Tide Financial, WS Investment Company and Mintz.

“The enthusiasm and level of support from a diverse group of investors validates our unique and proprietary technology,” commented Todd Usen, Chief Executive Officer, Activ Surgical. “The funding will be used to continue to grow the organization and prepare for the 2020 launch of ActivSight, an advanced software and sensing platform that will provide clinicians around the world with intraoperative visual data and images not currently available through existing technologies.”

Michael Pucker, Chairman and CEO of DNS Capital, said, “Activ Surgical’s integration of advanced imaging technology and artificial intelligence positions the company to have an enormous impact on the future of healthcare by improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and addressing unintended surgical complications. We look forward to working closely with the experienced Activ Surgical team and the company’s other investors to support their long-term growth plans.”

Series A financing was led by an entity advised by DNS Capital, LLC.

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About DNS Capital
DNS Capital is the private investment office for Gigi Pritzker Pucker, Michael Pucker and their immediate family. DNS Capital takes a long-term and flexible approach to investing, and focuses on people, relationships and culture. For more information, visit www.dnscap.com.

About Activ Surgical

Founded in 2017, Activ Surgical is a first-of-its kind digital surgery company focused on improving surgical efficiency, accuracy, patient outcomes and accessibility for both endoscopic and robotically-assisted procedures. Activ Surgical’s scalable and patent-protected surgical software platform technology is driven by computer vision, artificial intelligence, analytics and machine learning to enhance a surgeon’s intra-operative decision making, and reduce unintended and preventable surgical complications.

ActivSight (the company’s first planned commercial launch in fall 2020) is an advanced software and sensing platform which works dynamically and seamlessly to “ACTIVATE” any installed base of surgical visualization and robotics systems to provide real time intraoperative visual data and images not currently available to surgeons through existing technologies.

More information can be found at www.activsurgical.com.

For more information:
Claire Nolan
Associate Chief of Staff, Activ Surgical
617.333.8162 x401

Background on additional Investors:

About GPV
GreatPoint Ventures (www.gpv.com) is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm typically leading Series A and B investments. The firm is managed by Ray Lane, Andrew Perlman and Ashok Krishnamurthi, serial entrepreneurs who've founded, operated and built more than 15 companies, several of which have gone on to IPO.

About Tao Capital Partners
Tao Capital Partners is a San Francisco-based family office that invests in technology, alternative energy and transportation, healthcare, education, sustainable food & agriculture, consumer, and real estate businesses that have a positive impact. Tao is an active investor with the ability to support companies through various stages of their life-cycle.

About Sony Innovation Fund
Established in July 2016 by Sony Corporation, Sony Innovation Fund engages with pioneering startups to help fuel the development of disruptive technologies and launch new businesses. In addition to investment, Sony Innovation Fund closely collaborates with the startups in which it invests, connecting them with businesses throughout Sony and its worldwide network of partners, providing guidance and advice, and collaborating with them to help achieve common success. Learn more at: www.sonyinnovationfund.com.

About Rising Tide Financial
A Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm with roots in the US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. As a collegial partnership with diverse areas of expertise, we seek to team with visionary companies breaking barriers and creating new markets, especially those leveraging technological advancements in big data analytics, computer-aided design, optical sensors, mobile applications in vertical markets, and community-connected networks and services. We are stage agnostic, but single-mindedly focused on character, commitments and results.

About WS Investment Company
The investment affiliate of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, a premier provider of legal services to the life sciences and technology industry.

About Mintz
Established in 1933, Mintz is a versatile Am Law 100 law firm with 500 attorneys serving clients worldwide. With exceptional breadth in a broad range of industries, notably technology, we regularly represent companies in milestone events — mission-critical investments, licensing agreements, initial public offerings, acquisitions, intellectual property issues, and bet-the-company litigations. Our offices are strategically located to meet our clients’ needs. You will find us in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and London.

World Renowned Surgical Robotics Advocate, Dr. Vipul Patel Joins Activ Surgical Advisory Board

BOSTON, November 12, 2019

Activ Surgical, a pioneering digital intelligence company focused on improving surgical efficiency, accuracy, patient outcomes and accessibility, today announced that Dr. Vipul (Vip) Patel, Medical Director of the Global Robotics Institute at Advent Health Celebration and Medical Director of the Advent Health Cancer Institute Urologic Oncology Program, has joined the company’s Advisory Board.

Dr. Patel has developed techniques in robotic surgery that have translated to improve patient care and outcomes. His innovations have helped to improve cancer treatment and return of early urinary continence and sexual function. His contributions have been recognized worldwide through publications, professorships and training courses.

“It is truly an honor to have Dr. Patel, who has performed more robotic surgeries than any other surgeon worldwide, join our distinguished Advisory Board team,” commented Todd Usen, Chief Executive Officer, Activ Surgical. “Dr. Patel’s focus on providing access to innovative robotic surgical techniques and tools in order to improve patient care and outcomes is absolutely aligned with Activ Surgical’s ambition of providing an advanced software and sensing technology platform from which all patients can benefit.”

Dr. Patel is board certified by the American Urological Association and is a Professor of Urology at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando, and a Clinical Associate Professor of Urology at Nova Southeastern University, also in Orlando. He serves as an Honorary Professor at the University of Milan, Korea University and Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru, and was recently made an Honorary Professor of the Russian Academy of Science.

He is the founder of the International Prostate Cancer Foundation (IPCF) and a founding member of the Society of Robotic Surgery. He is the Editor Emeritus of The Journal of Robotic Surgery and Editor of the first-ever robotic urology textbook. He currently serves as President of the Florida Urologic Society and Past President and Managing Director of the Society of Robotic Surgery.

Upon joining the Activ Surgical Advisory Board, Dr. Patel commented, “I am thrilled to join Activ Surgical’s Advisory Board and work closely with Todd and his leadership team. I believe that Activ Surgical’s advanced software and sensing platform technology will transform the industry, and help to improve patient care and outcomes.”

Dr. Patel joins the following as a member of the Activ Surgical Advisory Board:

• Lukas Biewald, Founder, Figure Eight.
• Dr. Uma Duvvuri, Director of Robotic Head & Neck Surgery; Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, UPMC.
• John Galeotti, PhD., Director of the Biomedical Image Guidance Laboratory, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
• Dr. Adrian Park, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, Anne Arundel Medical Center; Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
• Dr. Steven Schwaitzberg, Professor and Chairman – Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo.
• Dr. Erik Wilson, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center; Professor in the Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical School at Houston; Director, Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas (MIST).

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About Activ Surgical

Founded in 2017, Activ Surgical is a first-of-its kind digital surgery company focused on improving surgical efficiency, accuracy, patient outcomes and accessibility for both endoscopic and robotically-assisted procedures. Activ Surgical’s scalable and patent-protected surgical software platform technology is driven by computer vision, artificial intelligence, analytics and machine learning to enhance a surgeon’s intra-operative decision making, and reduce unintended and preventable surgical complications.

ActivSight (the company’s first planned commercial launch in fall 2020) is an advanced software and sensing platform which works dynamically and seamlessly to “ACTIVATE” any installed base of surgical visualization and robotics systems to provide real time intraoperative visual data and images not currently available to surgeons through existing technologies.

More information can be found at www.activsurgical.com.

For more information:
Claire Nolan
Associate Chief of Staff, Activ Surgical
617.333.8162 x401

Activ Surgical Named to Built In Boston’s 50 Startups to Watch in 2020

BOSTON, January 22, 2020

AActiv Surgical, a technology company building the ActivEdge Platform, a hardware-agnostic software that empowers minimally invasive surgical systems to autonomously collaborate with surgeons, was recently named to Built In Boston’s 50 Startups to Watch in 2020.

Once a year, Built In Boston hand-selects startups that have the vision, team, focus and funding to drive innovation within the tech community. For their 50 Startups to Watch in 2020 list, they chose local companies founded within the past three years that they believe have positioned themselves for rapid growth in the year to come.

“Thanks to a highly talented, passionate and motivated group of employees, Activ Surgical is proud to be included in Built In Boston's 50 Startups to Watch in 2020,” commented Todd Usen, Chief Executive Officer, Activ Surgical. “I’m also extremely proud of our team and for the recognition of the good work we are doing on behalf of surgeons and their patients.”

The full list of the 50 companies named to Built In Boston’s 50 Startups to Watch in 2020 can be found here http://bit.ly/30Fudta.

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About Activ Surgical

Activ Surgical – the technology company that completed the world’s first autonomous robotic surgery of soft tissue – is building ActivEdge, a hardware-agnostic surgical software platform that empowers minimally invasive surgical systems to autonomously collaborate with surgeons. The first product on the ActivEdge platform is ActivSight, an intelligent light system that augments surgical vision in real-time, providing surgeons with information not currently available today. Activ Surgical was founded in 2017 and has offices in Boston.

More information can be found at www.activsurgical.com.

About Built In

For thousands of tech professionals in some of the most vibrant tech markets in the U.S., Built In is the best place to learn about the industry, build connections at events and carve out futures at companies they believe in.

For more information:
Claire Nolan
Associate Chief of Staff, Activ Surgical
617.333.8162 x401