Xenex zaps a $38m funding round for LightStrike robots

Xenex Disinfection Services said today that it raised a $38 million funding round, led by private equity shop Essex Woodlands, for its LightStrike “germ-zapping robots.”

New backer Piper Jaffray Merchant Banking and existing investors Malin Corp. and Tectonic Ventures also participated, San Antonio-based Xenex said. The proceeds are earmarked for sales force growth, product development, R&D and international expansion, the company said.

The robots use pulsed xenon to create full-spectrum, high-intensity UV light to destroy the germs that create hospital-acquired infections. Xenex said the devices can kill infectious germs in less than 5 minutes and touts studies showing that its robots delivered 50% to 100% decreases in C.diff, MRSA and surgical site infection rates.

“Hospitals can and should do more to keep patients safe. No one wants a loved one to go to the hospital and contract C.diff, MRSA or CRE. Hospitals using Xenex LightStrike germ-zapping robots have repeatedly demonstrated that using our technology lowers infection rates and enhances patient safety,” CEO Morris Miller said in prepared remarks. “Hospitals using our technology can stop the spread of infections while improving their bottom line.”

“The robots’ effectiveness, documented by the hospitals utilizing Xenex LightStrike germ-zapping robots, has dramatically reduced the incidence of HAIs in these hospitals. We are very pleased to support Xenex’s technology and strong management team to further expand these critically important capabilities in healthcare facilities in the U.S. and around the world,” added Essex Woodlands co-founder & managing partner Marty Sutter.

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