Monteris Medical and Symphony Robotics Announce Strategic Collaboration to Launch AI-Driven Micro-Robotic Platform for Laser Ablation in the Brain

Alliance aims to deliver breakthrough precision with laser ablation for  complex brain tumors and expand minimally invasive care

MINNETONKA, Minn. and MIAMI, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Monteris Medical, the leader in laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for use in the brain, and Symphony Robotics, the pioneer in AI-powered micro-robotics, today announced a strategic partnership to evolve surgical precision with the use of advanced robotics for brain ablation surgery and expand the capabilities of MRI-guided neurosurgical procedures.

Born out of intellectual property from Case Western Reserve University, Symphony Robotics has developed a micro-robotic arm designed to operate within the MRI bore without an engine. This flexible system navigates complex brain structures through a five-millimeter opening, enabling non-linear laser probe trajectories and real-time MRI-guided motion planning. Powered by proprietary AI and computer vision, Symphony's technology is anticipated to bring next-level precision to laser ablation procedures, especially for multiple or irregularly shaped lesions, such as those in neurofibromatosis and glioblastoma (GBM), as well as in complex anatomical targets associated with epilepsy.

"LITT has become a powerful tool in treating brain tumors, and Symphony Robotics' technology introduces a level of control and flexibility that could significantly improve outcomes," said Dr. Ricardo J. Komotar, surgical director of the University of Miami Brain Tumor Institute in Miami. "Its robotic arm can maneuver within the brain in ways rigid tools are more limited – enhancing ablation coverage, biopsy accuracy and even drug delivery. This innovation could deliver a true evolution in robotics for LITT that benefits patients with the most challenging brain tumors."

This partnership intends to integrate Monteris' proven laser energy delivery system with Symphony's advanced micro-robotic guidance, enabling an even greater degree of precision in anatomically challenging regions. Symphony's technology complements Monteris' trajectory-based approach by enabling curved pathways for laser heat delivery and dynamic probe control. These capabilities may provide physicians with added flexibility in specific clinical scenarios, expanding on the strong outcomes already demonstrated by NeuroBlate technology – known for optimizing patient results, including overall survival and seizure freedom.

Monteris Medical's minimally invasive NeuroBlate® System, the only LITT platform with robotic control, is widely adopted and used in leading neurosurgical centers across North America. With many thousands of procedures performed, published multi-center prospective outcomes and strong clinical validation from major professional medical organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the American Association for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN), Monteris has led the field of laser ablation for the brain to establish the technology as a standard option for brain tumors and drug-resistant epilepsy.

"This partnership underscores our mission to redefine what is possible in brain surgery," said Mordechai (Moty) Avisar, founder and chief executive officer of Symphony Robotics. "By integrating AI, micro-robotics, and real-time imaging, we are transforming the entire approach to treating brain disorders, not merely adding new surgical tools. We are excited about this partnership and its potential to accelerate development, market launch and commercialization, building on Monteris' expertise, manufacturing capabilities and leadership in the field. Our MRI-guided, flexible micro-robotic arm enables navigation along curved paths to access multiple or complex-shaped lesions through a single five-millimeter entry point. History has shown that treatment breakthroughs often come from combining multiple therapies into synchronized treatments. Through collaborations with leading therapeutic, biopharma and surgical partners such as Monteris, Symphony's mission to precisely deliver combined agents and energy directly to the lesion can offer new hope for patients."

Symphony's future product focus includes stereotactic biopsy, tumor mapping, targeted drug delivery and electrode placement for deep brain stimulation (DBS) – all enabled by its advanced maneuverability and AI-powered micro-robotics. Symphony Robotics devices have not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not available for commercial sale or clinical use.

"At Monteris, we've led the way in LITT innovation, including NeuroBlate's own robotic platform," said Martin J. Emerson, president and chief executive officer of Monteris Medical. "Partnering with Symphony Robotics allows us to combine our expertise in LITT with Symphony's breakthrough in microsurgical robotics. Together, we're redefining what's possible in precision neurosurgery."

NeuroBlate offers a minimally invasive alternative to craniotomy, with proven benefits including reduced pain, low risk of infection, minimal blood loss and fast recovery. Most patients experience a short hospitalization and reduced complications, particularly when compared to open resective surgery.

About Monteris and the NeuroBlate^® System
Monteris Medical is a privately held company that develops and markets innovative MRI-guided ablation systems to perform minimally invasive, robotically controlled brain surgery, commonly referred to as laser ablation, LITT (Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy) or SLA (Stereotactic Laser Ablation). The Monteris NeuroBlate System is the only minimally invasive system that enables a robotic interface for the precise and safe delivery of laser energy. The NeuroBlate System is a neurosurgical tool and is intended for ablating intracranial soft tissue, including brain structures such as brain tumors, radiation necrosis, and epileptogenic foci (as identified by non-invasive and invasive neurodiagnostic testing, including imaging) in adults and pediatric patients aged two years and over. For more information, visit monteris.com.

About Symphony Robotics
Symphony Robotics is a medical technology company developing a next-generation surgical micro-robot intended to improve the precision of neurosurgical procedures. The company's primary focus is on the surgical intervention of brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Symphony's core technology integrates a non-linear, flexible robotic arm with real-time MRI guidance, artificial intelligence, and computer vision. This combination is intended to enable surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with enhanced control, allowing access to complex brain structures while reducing the need for traditional open craniotomies. The robotic system was originally developed at Case Western Reserve University and has received more than $10 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

Contact:
Monteris Medical
Doug Pahr - Chief Financial Officer
763-253-4710

SOURCE Monteris Medical