Asensus Surgical Inc. grabbed a $10 million lifeline from prospective suitor Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, which has offered to buy the cash-strapped company for 35 cents per share or about $96 million. Asensus signed a non-binding letter of intent to consider and negotiate terms after “an extensive period of consideration of various strategic alternatives.” Under certain circumstances, it could access a further $10 million from Storz prior to a merger. Asensus reported in March that its cash runway would tap out in early July.

The U.S. FDA granted Virtual Incision Corp. de novo marketing authorization for its miniaturized in vivo robotic assistant for use in colectomy procedures in adults. The two-pound device offers portability and quick setup, eliminating the need for specialized operating rooms or arrangements to accommodate robotics.

Levita Magnetics International Corp. received uplifting news this week as the U.S. FDA cleared its magnetic-Assisted Robotic Surgery (MARS) minimally invasive surgical platform. MARS builds on the company’s first product, the Levita magnetic surgical system, by providing greater control of surgical instruments to surgeons. The platform is cleared for use in bariatric, colorectal, gallbladder and prostate surgeries.

Investors are backing Levita Magnetics International Corp. with $26 million to advance its new Magnetic-Assisted Robotic Surgery (MARS) platform. The series C financing round was led by Ballast Capital, with participation from Medtex Ventures, Invermaster and Carao Ventures. The new platform builds on the company’s first commercial device, the Levita Magnetic Surgical system which received U.S. FDA approval in 2015. The system enables reduced-port laparoscopic surgical procedures and consists of an external magnet that is placed on the skin and controls a magnetic grasper inside the abdomen during surgery.