Around 350,000 people are diagnosed with primary brain cancer every year, and roughly 250,000 die from the disease. Despite decades of medical progress, access to the brain for diagnosis and treatment remains constrained by invasive tools and limited precision. A Paris-based MedTech startup believes that is about to change.
A New Class of Brain Microrobots
Robeauté is developing a new class of therapeutic microrobots designed to diagnose, treat, and monitor the brain with unprecedented flexibility. The company’s technology operates at the intersection of robotics, physics, materials science, chemistry, biology, and medicine, and is built around a modular medical device that combines a universal robotic core with interchangeable micro-extensions.
Navigating the Brain with Precision
Speaking about the technology, co-founder and chief operating officer Joana Cartocci explained that the company’s microrobots are roughly the size of a grain of rice and are capable of navigating curved, non-linear paths through the brain’s extracellular matrix. This allows them to reach multiple sites of interest while minimising damage to surrounding tissue.
One Platform, Multiple Medical Missions
Each microrobot can be configured for a specific medical mission depending on the pathology. Possible uses include delivering therapeutic molecules directly to diseased tissue, implanting electrodes, performing biopsies, or collecting cellular and live physiological data through embedded sensors. According to the company, this modular architecture allows a single platform to support a wide range of clinical applications, from targeted drug delivery to real-time monitoring deep inside the brain.
From Extreme Robotics to Healthcare
The company was founded by robotics veteran Bertrand Duplat, who spent more than three decades designing robots for extreme environments, including work at McGill University and the European Space Agency. His decision to move into medical robotics followed his mother’s diagnosis with glioblastoma, prompting him to apply his expertise to healthcare.
Moving Beyond Academic Prototypes
Cartocci said one of Robeauté’s defining strengths is its operational focus from the outset. She noted that many microrobotic concepts remain confined to academic labs because they rely on passive devices moved by large external electromagnetic systems, which are difficult to scale and offer limited surgical control.
Active Control and Modular Design
Robeauté has taken a different approach by designing an active microrobot composed of a carrier and an extension. The carrier enables precise non-linear movement through brain tissue while being continuously tracked using ultrasound. The extension defines the medical task, whether that is a biopsy tool, electrode, or drug-delivery mechanism. The company holds more than 50 patents covering this platform.
Funding and Expansion
In January 2025, Robeauté raised $28 million in funding, allowing the company to double its team and accelerate development. The startup has also opened a US subsidiary, which it sees as critical for clinical trials and regulatory engagement.
Regulatory Strategy and Market Focus
Cartocci highlighted the advantages of the US regulatory environment, where companies can work closely with regulators throughout development. The US will be Robeauté’s first commercial market, though the company plans to bring the technology back to Europe to support public healthcare systems.
Preparing for First-in-Human Trials
Robeauté is now targeting first-in-human studies by the end of 2026. As the company continues to hire across scientific, regulatory, engineering, and commercial roles, Cartocci believes that clinical brain microrobots are closer to reality than ever before, provided regulators, investors, and developers continue to align behind transformative medical innovation.
