# Distalmotion

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/companies/distalmotion
Swiss maker of Dexter, a compact keyhole-surgery robot built for ambulatory surgery centres. Founded in 2012 as an EPFL spin-off; based in Lausanne with a US office in Cleveland. Backed by Revival Healthcare Capital and J&J's venture arm.

## In brief

- Dexter is FDA-cleared for five common outpatient operations, from hernia repair to hysterectomy (2024-2026).
- Raised $150M in a Series G (Nov 2025) led by Revival Healthcare Capital, then a strategic investment from J&J (Jan 2026).
- Over 4,000 patients treated in Europe and the US by August 2026.

## Facts

- Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: CH, US
- Status: private
- Raised: $300M
- Website: https://www.distalmotion.com
- Frontiers: [Robotics](https://technooptimist.io/robotics.md) (Keyhole surgery robots)

## Programs

- [Dexter](https://technooptimist.io/robotics/dexter.md) (Robotics): Deploy; next: Scale-up in US ambulatory surgery centres (2026). FDA-cleared for five outpatient procedures; 4,000+ patients; pushing into US ambulatory surgery centres.

## Technical approach

- **Small footprint: Robot that rolls between rooms**: Compact mobile carts fit any operating room without modification, so a surgery centre can share one robot across rooms.
- **Open system: Uses the hospital's own kit**: Works with third-party 3D cameras, energy devices and staplers instead of a closed ecosystem of proprietary tools.
- **Hybrid: Surgeon stays at the bedside**: A sterile console sits beside the patient, so the surgeon can switch between robotic and ordinary laparoscopic instruments mid-case.

## Open problems

- **Cost per case in surgery centres** (active research): Outpatient centres earn less per operation than hospitals; Dexter must pay off at that lower price with single-use instruments.
- **Competing with da Vinci** (open): Intuitive dominates robotic surgery and owns the surgeon training pipeline; Distalmotion has to win with lower cost and flexibility.

## Latest updates

- **13 Aug 2026**: Dexter cleared by FDA for ventral hernia repair, its fifth US indication. Distalmotion received FDA 510(k) clearance to use Dexter in ventral hernia repair, backed by its RAVEN study. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/dexter-cleared-by-fda-for-ventral-hernia-repair-its-fifth-us-indication-dcf8ad4c.md) · [original source](https://www.distalmotion.com/news/dexter_510k_clearance_for_ventral_hernia_repair))
- **13 Jan 2026**: Johnson & Johnson's venture arm makes a strategic investment in Distalmotion. Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JJDC) invested an undisclosed amount in Distalmotion to back Dexter's expansion into ambulatory surgery centres. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/johnson-and-johnson-s-venture-arm-makes-a-strategic-investment-in-68e64006.md) · [original source](https://www.distalmotion.com/news/distalmotion_secures_strategic_investment_to_expand_asc_expansion))
- **18 Nov 2025**: Distalmotion raises $150M Series G led by Revival Healthcare Capital; Chas McKhann named executive chairman. Distalmotion closed a $150 million Series G to speed US adoption of Dexter, focused on ambulatory surgery centres, plus clinical and product development. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/distalmotion-raises-150m-series-g-led-by-revival-healthcare-capital-2db1707a.md) · [original source](https://www.distalmotion.com/news/distalmotion_raises_150_million_to_accelerate_dexter_expansion))
- **28 Oct 2024**: FDA grants De Novo authorisation for Distalmotion's Dexter in inguinal hernia repair. The FDA authorised Dexter for adult laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, opening the US market to the Swiss robot. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/fda-grants-de-novo-authorisation-for-distalmotion-s-dexter-in-inguinal-34b74748.md) · [original source](https://www.distalmotion.com/news/fda-grants-marketing-authorization-for-dexter))

## Funding

| Date | Round | Amount | Post-money | Leads |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jan 2026 | Strategic (undisclosed) |   |   | Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC |
| Nov 2025 | Series G | $150M |   | Revival Healthcare Capital |
| Apr 2023 | Series F | $150M |   | Revival Healthcare Capital |

## Partners, customers and investors

- Johnson & Johnson (investor): Strategic investment via JJDC (Jan 2026) to support Dexter's move into surgery centres.
- Revival Healthcare Capital (investor): Led the $150M Series F (2023) and $150M Series G (2025).
- Memorial Hermann Health System (customer): First US sale of Dexter (March 2025).
- AdventHealth (customer): Bought multiple Dexter systems (June 2025).

## People

- Greg Roche, CEO
- Chas McKhann, Executive Chairman

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