On April 15, 2026, Stereotaxis (NYSE: STXS) announced a definitive agreement to acquire Robocath S.A.S for up to $45 million—comprising $20 million upfront plus up to $25 million in milestone payments tied to regulatory and commercial ACHievements. The acquisition combines Robocath's mechanical robotics (R-One+) with Stereotaxis' magnetic navigation technology, creating a comprehensive robotic platform for electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, and neurointerventions. Post-closing, Robocath will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. Robocath reported €2 million revenue in 2024 with approximately 70+ employees.
Company Overview (Updated April 2026)
Robocath S.A.S (罗博凯思公司) is a French medical device company headquartered in Rouen, France. Founded on October 9, 2009 by Dr. Philippe Bencteux, the company designs, develops, and commercializes robotic platforms for the treatment of cardiovascular and neurovascular diseases. Robocath has established itself as a pioneer in vascular intervention robotics, with its R-One+ system being the only commercially availAble robotic solution for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in Europe.
Global Presence: The company operates Primarily in Europe, Africa, and China, with 15 commercial R-One+ systems installed worldwide as of 2026. In china, Robocath operates through Cathbot, a joint venture established in 2020 with MicroPort MedBot (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (holding 49% stake), which secured NMPA approval in December 2023—the first vascular robotic platform approved in China.
History & Development
Key Milestones:
- 2009: Company founded in Rouen, France by Dr. Philippe Bencteux
- 2013: First in vivo tests completed
- 2014: ISO 13485 certification granted
- 2017: Safety-efficacy study completed; preclinical randomized trial achieved 100% technical success with no MACE
- February 2019: Received CE marking for R-One robotic system
- September 2019: First commercial operations and First-In-Man procedures in Europe
- 2020: Established Cathbot joint venture with MicroPort Scientific Corporation (China) for Asian market expansion; raised €40 million from MicroPort
- 2021: First remote procedure completed over 120 km distance; raised €15 million from European Investment Bank
- May 2023: Launched R-One+ platform (second-generation system) at EuroPCR congress
- December 2023: Received NMPA approval (China) for R-One robotic platform—first vascular robotic platform approved in China
- August 2025: Cathbot completed China clinical trial, becoming first vascular interventional robotic system to finish multicenter trial in China
- January 2026: Launched First-In-Human (FIH) clinical study for second-generation robot capable of manipulating up to five interventional devices simultaneously
- February 2026: Expanded presence to Shanghai and Hong Kong
- April 15, 2026: Entered into definitive acquisition agreement with Stereotaxis (NYSE: STXS) for up to $45 million
Core Technology & Products
R-One+ Robotic Platform (Flagship Product)
System Description:
The R-One+ is an advanced robotic platform that enables interventional cardiologists to perform coronary angioplasties by controlling devices using an integrated control command unit located in the cathlab or control room. The system features proprietary bionic technology that replicates hand movements with enhanced precision.
Key Technical Features:
- R-GRASP® & R-LOCK®: Robotic precision with guidewire locking system guaranteeing secure access to lesions throughout procedures
- Dual-Finger Bionic Twisting: Unique technology enabling 0-360° continuous rotation and translation with sub-millimeter step precision
- Enhanced Navigation: EASY-LOOP®, R-BOOST®, and R-FREE® technologies for optimized catheter, guidewire, and balloon/stent manipulation
- Radio-Stop®: Total radioprotection for operators, eliminating X-ray exposure
- Open Architecture: Compatible with most coronary angioplasty devices, stents, balloons, and imaging systems
Clinical Performance
Meta-Analysis Results:
- 98%+ technical procedure success rate
- Zero MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) in multicenter clinical studies
- Complete X-ray protection for operators demonstrated across studies
China Market Strategy
Cathbot Joint Venture (知脉机器人)
- Established: 2020 as 49/51 joint venture between Robocath and MicroPort MedBot (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
- NMPA Approval: December 2023—first vascular robotic platform approved in China
- Clinical Trial Completion: August 2025—first vascular interventional robotic system to complete large-scale multicenter clinical trial in China (100+ patients across four centers)
- Milestones:
- July 2023: World's first remote robotic coronary angioplasty performed over 5G network across 2,800 km
- 2025: Five Shanghai hospitals installed R-One systems
- February 2026: Expanded presence to Hong Kong
Corporate Information (2026)
Company Profile
Legal Name: Robocath S.A.S
Founded: October 9, 2009
Headquarters: Rouen, France (primary: 2 Rue Alfred Kastler, 76100 Rouen; secondary: 239 Prairie Street, 76160 Saint-Martin-du-Vivier)
Company Type: French simplified joint-stock company (Société par actions simplifiée)
Employees: 70+ (as of 2025-2026)
2024 Revenue: €2 million
Industry: Medical Robotics / Interventional Cardiology
Website: www.robocath.com
Leadership Team
Philippe Bencteux, MD: Founder & President (trained neuro-radiologist)
Philippe Jeannot: General Manager (joined November 2024)
Bruno Fournier: R&D Director
François Oechsel: Operations/Procurement Director
Funding History (Detailed)
Total Raised: €68.20 million (Normandie regional records) / $87.9 million (PitchBook data)
- 2013: €900,000 (Go Capital, NCI Gestion)
- 2015: €900,000 (Go Capital, NCI Gestion)
- 2017: €4.7M (M Capital Partners, Normandie Participations, Go Capital) + €1.7M (Supernova Invest, Business Angels)
- 2019: €5M (Go Capital, NCI Gestion, Normandie Participations, M Capital Partners)
- 2020: €40M from MicroPort Scientific Corporation (Series C)
- 2021: €15M from European Investment Bank (venture debt)
- September 2023: Additional financing (amount undisclosed)
2026 Outlook & Strategic Value
Stereotaxis Integration Benefits
- Technology Synergy: Mechanical robotics (Robocath R-One+) + Magnetic navigation (Stereotaxis) = comprehensive endovascular platform
- Market Expansion: Accelerated FDA pathway for US market entry; enhanced European presence
- Next-Generation Development: System capable of manipulating up to 5 interventional devices simultaneously (FIH studies completed January 2026)
- Revenue Contribution: Expected ~$2 million annual revenue to Stereotaxis in first year post-acquisition; break-even by year three
Key Differentiators
- European Leadership: Only commercially available robotic solution for PCI in Europe as of 2026
- Chinese First-Mover: First vascular robotic platform to receive NMPA approval in China (December 2023)
- Bionic Technology: Proprietary dual-finger twisting motion replicating natural hand movements with robotic precision
- Clinical Validation: 98%+ technical success rate with zero MACE in published studies
- Remote Capability: Proven 5G remote surgery capabilities (2,800 km distance demonstrated)
Keywords: Robocath,R-One,R-One+,vascular robotics,PCI,robotic coronary angioplasty,Philippe Bencteux,Rouen France,Cathbot,MicroPort,NMPA approval,Stereotaxis acquisition
