Creo Medical Group PLC (AIM:CREO) and Intuitive Surgical Inc (NASDAQ:ISRG, ETR:IUI1) have expanded their collaboration to enhance lung cancer treatments across the UK and Europe.
This initiative broadens the scope of an agreement that combines diagnostics and treatment in a single procedure using advanced medical technology.
It combines Intuitive's robotic lung biopsy system with Creo's MicroBlate Flex device, designed for the precise destruction of lung tumours using microwave energy, a technique known as ablation.
Professor Pallav Shah's team has successfully performed the first procedure using this integrated technology at London's Royal Brompton Hospital. The procedure uniquely combined immediate diagnosis and treatment of lung tissue.
Over the next year, this technology will be introduced to additional medical centres across the UK and Europe. These sites will participate in a pioneering programme to gather data and refine the approach, ensuring it is safe and effective before wider distribution.
Creo and Intuitive will provide the equipment and training at no initial cost to the participating sites, with oversight from experienced clinical teams.
"This is an exciting step for all involved as we are already seeing patients for whom this product is ideally suited. The ability to diagnose and treat an early lesion as part of a singular anaesthetic event is what we are aiming for and the potential is clear," said Creo CEO, Craig Gulliford.