Asensus Surgical signs major R&D lease in North Carolina

 

Asensus Surgical recently signed a 63,000 sq ft. lease at The Stitch in Morrisville, North Carolina.

The surgical robotics developer, which was acquired by Karl Storz in 2024, will become the primary tenant at The Stitch, a 248,000 sq ft life sciences complex owned by Related Fund Management and managed by its life science affiliate, Related Beal.

“Welcoming Asensus Surgical to The Stitch marks a milestone for both the property and the Triangle’s life sciences market,” said Eric Forshee, executive vice president at JLL, a real estate and investment management group. “This lease underscores the depth of demand for modern, purpose-built facilities in premier submarkets like Morrisville, where access to talent, infrastructure and the broader Research Triangle Park ecosystem gives innovative companies the environment they need to grow. The Stitch was designed with flexibility and collaboration in mind, and Asensus Surgical’s commitment highlights the importance of spaces that can evolve with the needs of cutting-edge life sciences users.”

The Stitch offers lab, office and collaboration space designed for research-driven companies. It has high ceilings, large floor plates and outdoor collaborative areas, along with access to Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park.

Erin Orpik, vice president of commercial assets at Related Beal, said the agreement reflects the firm’s goal of expanding its life sciences footprint in the Raleigh-Durham market.

“Related Beal has a proven history of pairing premier life sciences spaces with innovative tenants across the country,” Orpik said. “The Stitch provides Asensus Surgical and other future tenants with unparalleled access to the Triangle area’s life science and innovation market, allowing them to expand their research capacity. We are thrilled to welcome Asensus and look forward to more exciting Triangle announcements in the future.”

According to JLL’s 2025 U.S. Life Science Property report, the Raleigh-Durham area has recorded more than 1.1 million sq ft of net absorption this year. The company said it is the highest among midsize markets, with demand concentrated in modern facilities like The Stitch.