Country for PR: United States
Contributor: PR Newswire New York
Thursday, February 03 2022 - 06:00
AsiaNet
Formus Labs Raises $5 Million to Automate Orthopedic Surgery Planning; Partners With Zimmer Biomet to Supercharge Global Distribution
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

 
-- Formus combines AI and biomechanics to empower orthopedic surgeons with 
fully interactive 3D models to optimize the preoperative planning process

Formus Labs ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3429651-1&h=1880905409&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3429651-1%26h%3D3397578166%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.formuslabs.com%252F%26a%3DFormus%2BLabs&a=Formus+Labs 
), the world's first automated 3D planner for joint replacement surgeries, 
today announced it has raised US $5 million (USD) and the public launch of its 
orthopedic surgery planning solution which provides surgeons with unprecedented 
insight into the pre-operation planning process. The investment was led by VC 
firm GD1 ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3429651-1&h=1424409117&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3429651-1%26h%3D4228051508%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gd1.vc%252F%26a%3DGD1&a=GD1 
) (Global from Day 1), with participation from Punakaiki Fund ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3429651-1&h=1954287924&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3429651-1%26h%3D3378549577%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fpunakaikifund.co.nz%252F%26a%3DPunakaiki%2BFund&a=Punakaiki+Fund 
), Icehouse Ventures ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3429651-1&h=2282140920&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3429651-1%26h%3D2413962482%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.icehouseventures.co.nz%252Ffunds%26a%3DIcehouse%2BVentures&a=Icehouse+Ventures 
), Pacific Channel ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3429651-1&h=184166310&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3429651-1%26h%3D2229043281%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.pacificchannel.com%252F%26a%3DPacific%2BChannel&a=Pacific+Channel 
), and Flying Kiwis ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3429651-1&h=380338770&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3429651-1%26h%3D2944640882%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.fka.nz%252F%26a%3DFlying%2BKiwis&a=Flying+Kiwis 
). The company will use the funds to accelerate product development and its 
expansion into the US. 

Formus Labs also announced its partnership with Zimmer Biomet ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3429651-1&h=2455891686&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3429651-1%26h%3D2646073429%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.zimmerbiomet.com%252Fen%26a%3DZimmer%2BBiomet&a=Zimmer+Biomet 
), a global medical technology leader committed to the co-development and 
commercialization of Formus Hip in Australia and New Zealand, as well as to the 
investigation of international markets for global expansion.

Globally, one in five knee replacements are unsatisfactory and one in ten hip 
replacements need revision, which ends up costing the orthopedic industry $10 
billion (USD) per year. Joint replacement surgery is extremely technical and 
each procedure is unique since each patient requires different sized and 
positioned parts. Additionally, the process to accurately diagnose, size and 
complete a joint replacement is currently fraught with time-intensive manual 
imaging processing, as well as other costs related to sterilization and 
shipping logistics when it comes to the range of trays needed for each surgery. 

The Formus platform is ushering in the future of orthopedic planning by fully 
automating the joint replacement planning process. It uses artificial 
intelligence and biomechanics to produce fully interactive 3D models to 
pinpoint the size and orientation required before a patient ever enters the 
operating room. It also allows surgeons to work on cases remotely at any 
hospital anywhere in the world, significantly reducing patient wait times, 
improving overall workflow, and ultimately creating better outcomes for 
patients. 

With Formus Labs a surgeon can get automated, specific plans that are 
personalized to each patient. The software is able to deliver plans in an hour 
and can be updated in real time making same day 3D planning a reality. 

"Everyone knows someone that has had a joint replacement, but few know just how 
complex, variable, and costly the process can be," said Dr. Ju Zhang, founder 
and CEO of Formus Labs. "Our goal is to make orthopedic surgery as simple as it 
can be by arming surgeons with the latest cutting-edge technology so every 
joint replacement has a Formus plan that reduces the need for revisions, 
instills confidence, and facilitates better outcomes for patients, at a lower 
cost."

"We have been tracking Formus Labs for a while and from the very first time we 
met with Ju and the Formus team, we were impressed with the passion and vision 
to modernize a part of the care continuum that is still woefully underserved. 
We are very excited to support their critical mission in helping to deliver 
state-of-the-art, personalized, data-driven and scalable orthopedic care 
globally and look forward to the team executing on its goals," said John Kells, 
co-managing partner at GD1. "As value adding partners beyond the capital we've 
invested, GD1 will continue to work closely with Formus to refine their go-to 
market strategy, assist with the team's expansion, and by identifying strategic 
partners and co-investors for the journey ahead."

Formus Labs will officially launch the Hip product offering in Australia and 
New Zealand this month, to be followed by focused and strategic product 
evaluation in the United States after expected FDA approval in mid-2022. The 
company is rapidly expanding its team, both in ANZ and the US, including 
strategic computer-guided orthopedic surgery experts, engineering, commercial, 
and marketing roles. For more information visit, www.formuslabs.com/careers. 

About Formus Labs 
Formus Labs is the world's first automated 3D planner for joint replacement 
surgeries. The Formus cloud platform brings surgeons together with AI and 
computational biomechanics to deliver cutting-edge orthopedic software 
solutions. Founded from within the world-renowned Auckland Bioengineering 
Institute, Formus empowers surgeons to improve the lives of patients worldwide. 
For more information, visit www.formuslabs.com.

About GD1 
GD1 is an institutional-grade VC fund manager supporting globally ambitious 
companies with capital, operating expertise, and a vast network in order to 
help them achieve growth on the world stage. We invest from seed to scale, with 
headquarters in New Zealand and connections globally. Our purpose is to help 
New Zealand founders and teams believe bigger by helping New Zealand to dream, 
act, and achieve at a global scale. GD1's deep expertise in venture capital and 
real-world global operating knowledge was gained via experience in technology 
companies across Europe, Silicon Valley, and New Zealand. This experience, as 
well as ongoing relationships, ensures that founders and management teams are 
supported from day one. We dedicate our expertise, resources, and networks to 
influence change and build global winners. For more information, visit 
www.gd1.vc


SOURCE  Formus Labs 

CONTACT: James Christopherson, jamesfchristopherson@gmail.com