LifeTech Quantum

LifeTech Quantum Medical Technology Co., Ltd. operates as a joint venture established to commercialize the Epione robotic ablation platform in China. Formed through a three-way partnership between LifeTech Scientific (1302.HK), French robotics company Quantum Surgical, and Ally Bridge Group, the company secured NMPA approval for its flagship product in August 2023.

Company Overview

The joint venture traces its origins to April 2019, when LifeTech Scientific, Quantum Surgical SAS, and Ally Bridge Group announced the formation of a Chinese partnership in Guangdong Province. Headquartered in Dongguan City, LifeTech Quantum focuses exclusively on the research, development, and commercialization of Quantum Surgical’s integrated robotic platform for interventional oncology procedures in the Chinese market.

LifeTech Scientific, the controlling shareholder, brings extensive experience in minimally invasive interventional medical devices. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since its IPO, LifeTech Scientific (1302.HK) has established itself as a leader in structural heart disease and peripheral vascular device markets, with products distributed in over 100 countries. The parent company’s existing regulatory expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and distribution network in China provide LifeTech Quantum with infrastructure to accelerate Epione’s market penetration.

Quantum Surgical, headquartered in Montpellier, France, developed the Epione platform specifically for percutaneous tumor ablation. The company was founded in 2017 by Bertin Nahum, a robotics entrepreneur previously recognized for founding Medtech (acquired by Zimmer Biomet). Quantum Surgical raised €40 million in October 2021 to support commercial expansion, with Ally Bridge Group contributing half of the investment.

Core Products

Epione® Surgical Navigation System

The Epione platform represents a robotic-assisted percutaneous ablation system designed for treating solid abdominal tumors. The system combines a robotic arm, CT-based navigation, and treatment confirmation software in a single integrated platform.

Epione addresses a significant unmet need in interventional oncology. Conventional percutaneous ablation relies heavily on physician experience, requiring manual needle placement based on pre-procedural imaging and incremental CT scans during the procedure. This traditional workflow presents challenges including steep learning curves, variable accuracy, and potential complications from needle adjustments.

The system received NMPA approval in August 2023 for navigational positioning in adult abdominal puncture procedures, covering indications across all abdominal organs including liver, kidney, and pancreas tumors.

Technology & Innovation

Epione integrates four core functions: planning, targeting, delivery, and confirmation. The workflow begins with tumor visualization using fused MRI and CT images, followed by 3D segmentation with the Smart Segmentation tool. The Smart Planning module then generates optimal multi-needle placement patterns.

The robotic arm precisely positions the needle guide at calculated locations, angles, and depths while organizing multi-needle placement sequences. A patient reference system tracks patient movement and respiration under general anesthesia, enabling needle placement outside the CT gantry. The Smart Control module verifies placement accuracy and allows treatment plan modifications as needed. Post-procedure, the Confirmation Software assesses tumor margin coverage.

Technical advantages include reduced radiation exposure for physicians (needle placements performed outside the gantry), decreased procedure time through automated planning, and improved accuracy through respiratory synchronization. The open platform design accommodates various ablation technologies including microwave ablation (MWA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation, and irreversible electroporation (IRE).

Market Presence

LifeTech Quantum targets China’s substantial interventional oncology market. According to Globocan 2020 data, approximately 610,000 new cases of abdominal cancers are diagnosed annually in China, representing a significant patient population that could benefit from minimally invasive treatment options.

The joint venture builds on LifeTech Scientific’s established distribution network, which covers major hospitals throughout China. In December 2023, LifeTech hosted its first Epione Robot Tumor Puncture Workshop, providing hands-on training for interventional radiologists.

Internationally, Quantum Surgical has treated over 400 patients with Epione in Europe and the United States. The company made its first U.S. sale in late 2023 and received the Prix Galien USA award in 2022, recognizing innovation in biopharmaceutical research.

Key Milestones

• 2019: Joint venture established between LifeTech Scientific, Quantum Surgical, and Ally Bridge Group
• 2021-09: Epione receives CE Mark certification for European markets
• 2022-03: FDA 510(k) clearance granted for liver cancer treatment in the United States
• 2023-05: FDA clearance expanded to all abdominal tumors
• 2023-08: NMPA registration approval obtained for adult abdominal organ puncture procedures
• 2023-12: First Epione training workshop held in China

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of tumors can Epione treat?

Epione is approved in China for navigational positioning in adult abdominal solid tumor procedures, including tumors in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. In Europe, additional indications cover chest and musculoskeletal structures. The system supports multiple ablation modalities including microwave, radiofrequency, cryoablation, and irreversible electroporation.

Is LifeTech Quantum publicly traded?

LifeTech Quantum itself is not publicly traded. However, its controlling shareholder, LifeTech Scientific Corporation, is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 1302.HK. LifeTech Scientific reported revenue exceeding RMB 1.3 billion in 2024, with international business growing 26% year-over-year.

How does Epione differ from manual percutaneous ablation?

Traditional percutaneous ablation relies on manual needle placement with iterative CT scans for verification, requiring significant physician experience and resulting in variable outcomes. Epione automates planning, provides robotic-assisted needle placement with respiratory tracking, and confirms treatment margins in a single workflow. This reduces needle adjustment frequency, lowers radiation exposure, and standardizes procedure quality across different experience levels.