Montpellier, February 4, 2025 – As part of its STARThu program, the Toulouse University Hospital (CHU) has just acquired Epione®, the robot from Quantum Surgical designed to assist physicians in the curative and early treatment of abdominal and lung tumors. The CHU is the first center in Occitanie to offer patients this minimally invasive, safe, and effective surgery.
To destroy an abdominal or lung tumor, a percutaneous tumor ablation (through the skin) can be performed. This is a minimally invasive radiological procedure aimed at destroying the cancerous tumor using a needle, either through heat or cold. Therefore, it is essential to guide this needle precisely to the location of the tumor. This process is often long and challenging, as tumors can be small and “poorly located.”
This is where the robotic platform Epione® comes into play. Using imaging technology, the Epione® robot assists physicians by:
- Visualizing the area to be treated with a 2D/3D image fusion software and ensuring the precise positioning of the ablation needle.
- Confirming the success of the treatment.
For patients, this means access to a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment.
As part of its STARThu plan, the Toulouse University Hospital (CHU) has acquired Epione® to further develop robot-assisted procedures within its facilities, aiming to offer ever more advanced treatments to its patients. With this acquisition, the CHU becomes the fifth center in France to offer this innovative treatment.
Jean-François Lefebvre, General Manager of Toulouse University Hospital (CHU) : By integrating robotic solutions like Epione® in interventional imaging, the Toulouse University Hospital reaffirms its commitment to medical and technological innovation. This major advancement reflects our ongoing dedication to offering our patients less invasive, yet increasingly precise and effective treatments, particularly in oncology. I would like to commend Professor Mokrane and his teams for implementing this cutting-edge technology. As part of its 2023-2028 institutional project and through the STARThu plan (Strategic Plan for Robotic and Technological Interventional Assistance in University Hospitals), the CHU of Toulouse confirms its status as a leading reference center, ensuring both modernity and medical excellence.”
Professor Fatima Mokrane, radiologist at Toulouse University Hospital (CHU), explains: “Epione® is a unique therapeutic solution that allows us to treat early-stage and hard-to-reach tumors in a minimally invasive and highly precise manner. Thanks to this technology, we will be able to treat more patients in Toulouse, and in a more comfortable way.”
Bertin Nahum, President and Co-founder of Quantum Surgical, states: “We are delighted with this new acquisition by the Toulouse University Hospital, the first in Occitanie. The entire Quantum Surgical team is thrilled that our technology is now accessible to more patients for the treatment of their tumors.”
About Quantum Surgical
Quantum Surgical is a French medical robotics company co-founded in 2017 by Bertin Nahum, CEO. With a dynamic team of over 120 employees, the company is headquartered in Montpellier, France, and has offices in Miami, Florida.
Its Epione® platform is dedicated to the curative and early treatment of cancers. Quantum Surgical thus offers a new approach to cancer treatment by standardizing access to care. More patients can benefit from innovative, better targeted and less invasive treatments. Hundreds of patients have already been treated worldwide.
Quantum Surgical was awarded the prestigious Prix Galien USA in 2022, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for biopharmaceutical research, and joined in 2023 the governmental French Tech 2030 program in 2023 that supports top emerging actors in disruptive innovation.
More information: www.quantumsurgical.com
Press contact Quantum Surgical
Stéphanie Moy
s.moy@quantumsurgical.com
Tel. : +33 (0)6 32 55 85 48
About the Toulouse University Hospital (CHU de Toulouse)
The Toulouse University Hospital (CHU) is a leading healthcare and academic institution, deeply rooted in the city of Toulouse and the Occitanie region. It fulfills its public service missions by providing medical care and prevention, training future healthcare professionals, and actively contributing to innovation and medical research.
In the field of oncology, the CHU dedicates up to 25% of its overall activity to cancer treatment. Its healthcare services are organized across three hospital sites labeled as “Institut Universitaire du Cancer – Toulouse”:
- IUCT-Rangueil-Larrey
- IUCT-Purpan
- IUCT-Oncopole
These sites operate in a complementary manner, avoiding duplication and promoting a multidisciplinary and coordinated approach to cancer treatment.
In western Occitanie, the CHU de Toulouse handles 39% of all cancer-related hospitalizations, making it the leading center for oncology care in the region. With 1,244 patients enrolled in clinical trials and 456 active research projects, the CHU is strongly committed to advancing knowledge and treatments to better meet patients’ needs.
Ranked the best hospital in France (Le Point 2024 ranking), the CHU de Toulouse is also one of the largest employers in the Occitanie region, with a workforce of 16,000 professionals, including 4,000 physicians and 12,000 hospital staff, whose expertise and dedication drive its excellence.
Press contact Toulouse University Hospital (CHU)
Joséphine Enard
Enard.j@chu-toulouse.fr
Tel. : +33 (0)5 61 77 80 27
