A Chicago-based institutional investor has agreed to purchase up to $25 million in stock in a Research Triangle Park company developing robots for minimally invasive surgery.

The Lincoln Park Capital Fund has agreed to buy the stock in TransEnterix Inc. during the next 36 months, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Morrisville-based TransEnterix is currently focused on the commercialization of its Senhance system, which is a robotic system that brings the advantages of robotic surgery to patients while enabling surgeons with technology such as haptic feedback and eye sensing camera control.

“The company expects this commitment to provide us with additional balance sheet strength and to help continue funding our Senhance regulatory and commercial efforts,” said Todd M. Pope, president and CEO at TransEnterix.

Last month, the company reported a third-quarter loss of 11 cents per share, compared to a loss of 16 cents per share in the same period last year. Analysts were forecasting a loss of 12 cents. The company reported revenue of $1.5 million for the quarter, largely representing the sale of one Senhance system.

The company has also announced that it plans to open a new robotics facility in Milan, Italy.

TranEnterix closed Tuesday at $1.42, down 6 cents, or 4.05 percent.