Horizon Surgical Systems Appoints Former Johnson & Johnson Executive Dr. Rajesh K. Rajpal as Chief Strategy and Medical Officer to Accelerate Ophthalmic Robot Development

Sep 26, 2025 11:26 CST Updated 11:26

Horizon Surgical Systems

Developer of Advanced Microsurgical Robotics

See Clearly Vision

Ophthalmology Care Institution

Source: MedRobot

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Recently, the surgical robot companyHorizon Surgical SystemsAnnounce,Appointment of Dr. Rajesh K. Rajpal as Chief Strategy and Medical Officer（CSO & CMO）。

Dr. Rajpal, who is a surgeon, technological innovator, and industry executive, has long been dedicated toPromote the implementation of ophthalmic technologies and equipment in clinical, regulatory, and commercialization aspects.Horizon stated that his joining will help the company further accelerate in clinical development and long-term strategy.

CEO of the companyDr. Jean-Pierre Hubschman"We are honored to welcome Raj to the leadership team. His deep professional experience and forward-looking vision will play a key role as we prepare for our first human clinical trial and move towards the critical stages of FDA approval and commercialization."

# Professional Background of the New Executive

Dr. Rajesh K. Rajpalis a senior ophthalmology clinician and medical device/technology strategist, whose career highlights his ability to integrate clinical, R&D, and market capabilities across disciplines:

Dr. Rajpal is the founder and medical director of See Clearly Vision Group, responsible forOperations and Clinical Programs of Multiple Laser Refractive Surgery Centers。
In terms of academic clinical training, he completed his medical education and ophthalmology residency at the Medical College of Virginia, followed by a fellowship in cornea/external disease at Wills Eye Hospital.
In the official materials of See Clearly Vision, he is noted asOne of the first ophthalmologists in Washington, D.C. to perform refractive laser surgeries such as LASIK, and has participated in multiple FDA-related clinical trials, serving as the principal investigator.
In the industry and management fields, he has served asJohnson & Johnson VisionGlobal Medical Affairs / Clinical Strategy Senior Position, responsible for new product development, clinical trials, and industry alignment.
Previously, he also served as the executive at Avedro/Glaukos.Chief Medical Officer of Corneal Health Division(CMO), leading the clinical and registration advancement of projects such as medical devices + corneal crosslinking treatment.
Moreover, he has served as a long-term strategic advisor and early development consultant for various medical device companies, and has participated in clinical trials and product development of multiple ophthalmic/vision-related devices or drugs.

From these experiences, Rajpal inClinical Validation + Device Registration + Medical StrategyThe three lines have rich experience, especially in the clinical pathways of ophthalmic equipment and high-precision medical devices.

# Strategic Direction of Horizon Surgical

Positioning and Core Technology of Polaris

Horizon's Polaris system is not simply a "robot for performing eye surgeries." It aims to address three long-standing pain points:Surgical precision relies on individual doctors' hand stability and experience variations, insufficient consistency in postoperative outcomes, and the global imbalance of surgical resources.。

To this end, Polaris combines high-precision robotic arms, intraoperative imaging, and AI real-time decision-making:

Robotic ArmAble to maintain stability at the micron level, reducing errors caused by hand tremors and fatigue;
Imaging ModulePerform 3D reconstruction of intraoperative tissue and provide surgical path recommendations to doctors;
AI SoftwareIt analyzes the surgical environment in the background, helping to optimize trajectories and identify anomalies.

The primary focus of Polaris is on the indicationsCataract Removal and Intraocular Lens Implantation——This is one of the most common types of surgery globally. The goal is not to "replace doctors," but to enable surgeons of different skill levels to achieve more consistent surgical outcomes through standardized and intelligent means.

Financing and Strategic Nodes

In 2024, Horizon completed$30 Million Series A Financing, supported by ExSight Ventures, Main Street Advisors, UC Investments, etc. The purpose of this funding is very clear: to push Polaris into the First-in-Human (FIH) clinical trial.

At the same time, the board introduced several individuals with backgrounds in both ophthalmology and investment, indicating that Horizon has laid foundations in both capital and clinical resources.

Against this backdrop, the company has recently appointed Rajpal as Chief Strategy & Medical Officer (CSO & CMO), clearly aiming for the next phase——Clinical Trials and Regulatory Pathways——Establish clinical and strategic safeguards.

Strategic Direction Observation

Combined with product and financing dynamics, we can see the strategic logic of Horizon:

Differentiated Entry：While general surgical robots like Da Vinci have already firmly occupied other departments, Horizon chose to enter the field of ophthalmology — a high-frequency necessity with no mature robotic platform yet available.
Auxiliary rather than substitutive: Polaris was not designed for full automation but rather to assist doctors in performing standardized operations, which is a practical choice that aligns with the acceptance level of ophthalmologists.
Data and Algorithm Barriers: With the accumulation of more clinical data, the AI module has the potential to form an algorithmic advantage, building an insurmountable competitive threshold for Polaris.
Global Expansion Potential：Cataract surgery also has a huge gap in developing countries. If Horizon can prove that Polaris improves efficiency and consistency, its market will not be limited to the United States.

# The Significance of Rajpal's Appointment

At the critical moment of completing Series A financing and entering the first human clinical trial, Horizon's appointment of Rajesh K. Rajpal as CSO & CMO is not just a routine personnel addition.

Rajpal's career trajectory has three dimensions that align closely with Horizon's current needs:

Clinical Background: As a senior ophthalmologist, he has a direct sense of the surgical scene and unmet needs, which means he can provide critical input for product definition and trial design.
Industry Experience: Rajpal has participated in the entire process of advancing emerging ophthalmic technologies from R&D to clinical trials and then to commercialization, providing valuable experience for Polaris's registration and market entry pathway.
Strategic Perspective: As the company enters the stages of trial verification and regulatory engagement, his role involves not only medical affairs but also strategic planning, helping Horizon convert its technological edge into a market advantage.

Therefore, this appointment not only provides academic and medical endorsement for the upcoming clinical trials but also sets a strategic direction for Horizon's long-term commercialization path.

MedRobot Observation

In the surgical robot track, mainstream companies have concentrated their resources on fields such as abdominal, orthopedic, and cardiovascular. Ophthalmology, due to...Fine operation, large surgical volume, but the global doctor resources are limited, and there has been a long-term lack of robotic solutions. Horizon chose to enter this "blank track", which not only reflects a differentiated strategy but also implies higher uncertainty.

FromTechnical FeaturesLook, Polaris did not pursue "full automation" but instead standardized some steps through imaging and AI assistance. This positioning is more likely to be accepted by doctors in the short term and aligns better with regulatory and market expectations for "gradual progress."
FromStrategic PathLook, the company first enters clinical trials through financing, then gradually advances in regulation and commercialization—this is a typical development path for medical robotics companies. However, whether Horizon Surgical Systems can build barriers in data accumulation, algorithm optimization, and doctor usage habits remains to be seen.

Overall, Rajpal's joining indicates that Horizon is currently inTransitioning from "Technology R&D" to "Clinical Validation and Market Deployment"stage. For a robotic start-up that has not been established for a long time, whether this transformation can proceed smoothly will directly determine whether it can occupy a place in the future ophthalmic robot market.

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