TransEnterix, a medical device company that is pioneering the use of robotics to improve minimally invasive surgery, announced the opening of a new European training and research and development center in Milan, Italy.

The facility, to be called the TransEnterix Milan Robotic Surgery Center, was inaugurated on December 15, 2016 in a special ceremony. It is part of the technology and research village next to the University Milano-Bicocca campus.

“The Senhance Surgical Robot has strong development roots in the innovation corridor found in Lombardy and Italy,” said Todd M. Pope, President and CEO at TransEnterix.

 “We are pleased to make this investment to create a world-class center for robotic surgical training and to continue our research and development in Milan, which will bring surgeons and researchers from across the globe together to help create the next wave of robotic surgery.”

The new robotic center will feature an integrated demonstration operating theater, robotic training and development systems, and facilities for hosting large groups.

It will also serve as the Company’s European research and development facility that will further enable research collaborations with the European Union’s Joint Research Center, academic institutions and industry partners across Europe.

A number of surgeons that have pioneered the clinical use of this new system for robotic surgery and senior executives from TransEnterix were present, along with representatives of healthcare industry associations and government.

The event was hosted at the new TransEnterix Milan Robotic Surgery Center, and following remarks by the special guests, participants were able to experience the Senhance Surgical System and tour the facility.

TransEnterix is a medical device company that is pioneering the use of robotics to improve minimally invasive surgery by addressing the clinical and economic challenges associated with current laparoscopic and robotic options.

The company is focused on the commercialization of the Senhance™ Surgical Robotic System, a multi-port robotic system that brings the advantages of robotic surgery to patients while enabling surgeons with innovative technology such as haptic feedback and eye sensing camera control