Two Minimally Invasive Cancer Treatment Companies Join Forces
Quantum Surgical, a Montpellier, France-based developer of robotic-assisted tumor ablation systems, has acquired NeuWave Medical Inc. The deal places both organizations under a newly created parent company, Precision IO Group Inc., combining Quantum’s Epione robotic platform with NeuWave’s microwave ablation technology — a combination poised to reshape the interventional radiology and minimally invasive oncology landscape.
Precision IO Group will be led by medtech executive Kurt Azarbarzin as CEO. Despite the new corporate structure, both companies will continue operating independently to maintain continuity for physicians currently using their systems.
The move comes as interventional radiology gains prominence as an effective alternative to conventional surgery for solid tumor treatment, a trend that connects with advances in novel approaches to local tumor control.
Epione Platform: CT-Guided Robotics
Quantum Surgical developed the Epione robotic platform, which supports physicians performing percutaneous tumor ablation procedures. The system guides needle placement through the skin to target tumors, typically under CT imaging guidance.
Epione is CE marked for abdominal, chest and musculoskeletal indications and has FDA clearance for abdominal tumor ablation. The company reports that more than 1,400 patients in Europe and the United States have been treated using the system.
Robotic precision in needle placement is a critical differentiator in percutaneous ablation. Millimeter deviations can mean the difference between complete tumor ablation and insufficient margins, especially for tumors near hepatic vascular or biliary structures.
NeuWave: Microwave Ablation in 70% of Top US Cancer Centers
NeuWave Medical, based in Madison, Wisconsin, develops microwave ablation technology used in similar procedures. According to the companies, the system is deployed in more than 70% of the top cancer centers in the United States — an impressive market penetration demonstrating the technology’s clinical maturity.
Microwave ablation offers advantages over traditional radiofrequency in certain scenarios: it generates higher temperatures, produces larger and more predictable ablation zones, and is less affected by the heat sink effect in tumors adjacent to large blood vessels.
“At Quantum Surgical, we are committed to democratizing procedural know-how through robotics, and expanding high-quality cancer care for patients. Acquiring NeuWave Medical is a natural and strategic step in that mission,” said Bertin Nahum, president and co-founder of Quantum.
Precision IO Group Vision
The new group aims to build a portfolio of interventional radiology technologies, focusing on robotic systems, ablation devices and tools that could support remote procedures. The companies are exploring approaches that would allow specialists to assist with treatment planning and case review remotely using the Epione platform.
This remote-assisted procedure capability is particularly relevant for regions with limited access to specialized interventional radiologists — a common reality in many countries where specialist concentration in major urban centers creates significant treatment access disparities.
Future Outlook
The convergence of robotics and thermal ablation signals a maturing of interventional oncology as a discipline. For the broader radiology community, the availability of integrated platforms combining robotic guidance with optimized energy delivery could accelerate adoption of minimally invasive techniques. These developments complement advances in innovative cancer treatment approaches that prioritize reduced invasiveness and maximized precision.
Source: DOTmed