A UK neurosurgeon and NHS “clinical entrepreneur” who is developing a lower cost alternative to mixed reality surgical planning and training tools has been backed by investors.
XARlabs, founded by Dr. Ali Haddad and based in London, has closed a US$2.3m seed funding round to help grow its “high-precision mixed reality” technology that can be used at various stages of the “surgical lifestyle”.
It offers a low-cost alternative to resource-intensive tools currently dominating the market for mixed reality surgical planning and guidance.
The technology features marker-less tracking for precision and a fully immersive 3D environment, enabling collaborative surgical planning and medical education.
The funding round was led by technology executive and angel investor, Eric Johnson, with participation from EKA Ventures as well as contributions from angel investors.
The capital be used to help broaden the international reach of its flagship product, simXAR, and drive further platform enhancements to transform surgical training, planning, and real-time visualisation with mixed reality technology.
Dr Ali Haddad said: “This milestone underscores the growing confidence and global demand for mixed reality solutions for healthcare. XARlabs is set to redefine the landscape of surgical planning and education, bringing the power of mixed reality to operating rooms and medical institutions worldwide.”
Johnson, a serial entrepreneur and angel investor, said: “I believe that XARlabs’ strategic direction and novel technology approach are unmatched in the market today and I am excited to help the company on its continued path of success.
XARlabs’ flagship product, simXAR, uses marker-less tracking and immersive 3D modelling to enable anatomical visualisation and hands-on training. It has already demonstrated its impact in “groundbreaking” procedures at a number of leading hospitals, the company says.
