Glasgow medtech company Nami Surgical has secured £3.4m to develop and commercialise its ultrasonic technology for robotic-assisted surgery. The funding will support five additional research and development jobs at its Hillington headquarters.
The funding round extension was led by a £2m investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank. Existing investors Eos Advisory, Scottish Enterprise and the Investment Fund for Scotland also participated. The fund is managed by Maven Capital Partners and delivered by the British Business Bank.
Nami was founded in 2021 as a University of Glasgow spinout by Dr Nico Fenu and Dr Rebecca Cleary. The company has developed a patent-protected ultrasonic scalpel designed for integration with robotic surgical systems.
Nikki Palfrey, chief executive of Nami Surgical, said: “We have reached an important stage in Nami’s development, moving from demonstrating the potential of our technology to building the capabilities and partnerships needed to bring it into the surgical environment. This investment gives us the resources to accelerate that journey, strengthening our engineering team in Glasgow while continuing to generate the evidence and relationships required for commercial adoption.”
Ultrasonic scalpels use high-frequency vibrations to cut tissue and seal blood vessels. Nami says the size and rigidity of conventional instruments have limited their integration with robotic surgical devices.
Its technology miniaturises the transducer, the component that generates ultrasonic vibrations. The company says this allows its scalpel to bend and rotate within robotic systems while retaining its tissue-cutting and sealing capabilities.
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Nami is working to establish strategic partnerships with major global healthcare companies as it progresses towards commercialisation. Palfrey joined as chief executive in January, and the company has also secured ISO 13485 certification.
Ailsa Young, investment director at the Scottish National Investment Bank, said: “Our investment will help secure high-skilled jobs within Nami’s Glasgow team, solidifying the city’s reputation as a global leader in ultrasonics and keeping valuable intellectual property and technology here in Scotland.”
