Scivita Medical and Boston Scientific Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Minimally Invasive Diagnostics and Treatment

In late March, Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Scivita Medical”) and Boston Scientific, a global leader in medical technology, signed an agreement in Suzhou to establish a strategic partnership. The two parties have entered into a long-term collaboration regarding the commercial promotion and market sales of Scivita Medical’s single-use electronic choledochoscope (percutaneous) in mainland China.

 Scivita MedicalXBoston Scientific Commercial Partnership Signing Ceremony

Viewed over a longer timeframe, it has been less than six months since Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. announced its strategic partnership with Fujifilm Europe B.V. (hereinafter referred to as “Fujifilm”) last November. The scope of that prior collaboration between Scivita Medical and Fujifilm was similar to the current one: Fujifilm was responsible for sales and business development of Scivita Medical’s single-use electronic bronchoscopes in several major European countries.

Among the two landmark collaborations, one involved the commercial launch of single-use electronic bronchoscopes in major European countries, while the other marked the commercial introduction of single-use electronic percutaneous cholangioscopes in mainland China.It is evident that, first, with Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (Scivita) successively establishing strategic partnerships with Fujifilm and Boston Scientific, the pace of its commercialization will further accelerate; second, adhering to its strategy of “being based in China while keeping a global perspective,” Scivita is further expanding the global market for single-use endoscopes. With its comprehensive product portfolio encompassing reusable endoscopes, single-use endoscopes, and endoscopic equipment systems, Scivita’s advancing commercialization will undoubtedly further drive the transformation of the minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment industry in global markets, including China.

For the single-use electronic choledochoscope (percutaneous) product involved in this collaboration, there are clear reasons why Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. and Boston Scientific have come together to forge a strategic partnership.

Scivita Medical Single-Use Electronic Choledochoscope (Percutaneous)

On one hand, Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (Scivita Medical), established in October 2016, has achieved notable success in the research, development, and commercialization of medical endoscopes and related innovative products for minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment. Its portfolio of marketed medical endoscope products and those under development covers all types of endoscopic procedures performed across various clinical departments in hospitals, thereby meeting the diverse needs of physicians and patients. In the realm of single-use endoscopes, Scivita Medical’s products have already been deployed in multiple clinical specialties with high risks of cross-infection, including gynecology, respiratory medicine, urology, and hepatobiliary surgery. Moreover, several of its products have obtained regulatory approvals in China, the United States, the European Union, Japan, and other countries and regions.

In addition to developing innovative products that address the core issue of cross-infection, Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (Scivita) recognizes that equipment cost burden and utilization efficiency are key considerations for most hospitals. Through enhanced supply chain management and breakthroughs in innovative technologies, Scivita has reduced the inherent costs of its devices. Furthermore, by launching innovative products such as single-use endoscopes, medical professionals no longer need to endure lengthy waiting times associated with the sterilization required for reusable endoscopes in specific scenarios. This enables continuous surgical procedures, improves operational efficiency, and reduces the overall cost of hospital operations.

On the other hand, this is also attributable to the advantages in branding and distribution channels that Boston Scientific has cultivated through its long-term presence and strategic layout in China. Since entering the Chinese market in 1997, Boston Scientific’s core business has spanned multiple therapeutic areas, including structural heart disease, endoscopic interventions, peripheral and oncology interventions, and urology and respiratory products. With strong technological reserves in the field of gastroenterology, Boston Scientific boasts a top-tier team, professional educational platforms, and well-established sales channels. Following the collaboration between Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (Scivita) and Boston Scientific, Boston Scientific will leverage its own capabilities and combine the strengths of both parties to provide comprehensive solutions for hospitals and physicians, thereby promoting clinical adoption and facilitating the market implementation of Scivita’s innovative products.

Zhang Jun, President of Boston Scientific’s Greater China region, stated, “This collaboration with Scivita Medical represents a fruitful convergence of local innovation and global expertise. It will further enrich Boston Scientific’s product portfolio in the field of endoscopic interventions, marking another milestone in our deep commitment to the local market and our continuous enhancement of leadership in this sector. Moreover, it underscores our ongoing efforts to integrate into and build a local healthcare innovation ecosystem. I believe this partnership is just the beginning of mutual benefits and win-win outcomes for both parties. Looking ahead, Boston Scientific aims to leverage its global resources to contribute to the upgrading of local healthcare innovation, working together to help shape a ‘Healthy China.’”

With the establishment of a strategic partnership between Boston Scientific and Scivita Medical, Scivita Medical is poised to rapidly commercialize its domestic single-use percutaneous cholangioscope products. Meanwhile, Boston Scientific will further enrich its product portfolio. Together, the two companies will deliver superior solutions to China’s healthcare industry.

Achieving disease diagnosis and treatment through minimal surgical incisions not only reduces patient pain but also enables faster recovery. Minimally invasive surgery is increasingly favored by patients due to these advantages. Amidst an explosive surge in demand, the minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment market is undergoing new transformations—

On one hand, taking reusable endoscopes as an example, equipment is evolving toward providing better imaging results. For instance, Scivita Medical Technology Co., Ltd. is currently deploying 4K ultra-high-definition medical imaging technology, 3D medical imaging technology, and special light (fluorescence) medical imaging technology, all of which enable doctors to "see" more clearly. On the other hand, taking single-use endoscopes as an example, these devices are often more frequently used in clinical departments with a high risk of cross-infection, such as urology, gynecology, respiratory medicine, and hepatobiliary surgery. They offer cost-effectiveness while reducing the risk of infection. Together, they are driving new transformations in the minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment market.

Looking back, take the collaboration between Scivita Medical and Boston Scientific on single-use electronic choledochoscopes (percutaneous) as an example. For a long time, China has seen a high incidence of biliary system stones. Intraoperative bile duct exploration and stone removal procedures have often relied on reusable choledochoscopes. However, “on one hand, the equipment itself is extremely expensive, with the total procurement cost for a complete set potentially reaching millions of yuan. On the other hand, repeated use makes the devices prone to damage, resulting in substantial maintenance costs.” Single-use percutaneous choledochoscopes effectively address both cost concerns and the risk of cross-infection.

Thanks to the disruptive advantages of disposable medical endoscopes—such as effectively reducing cross-infection, lowering costs, and improving therapeutic efficacy—disposable endoscopes undoubtedly hold broad market prospects in the future. According to relevant analytical data from Frost & Sullivan, in terms of the number of patients treated for biliary diseases alone, the annual number of biliary endoscopy procedures in China is expected to reach 8.044 million by 2025; in major EU countries, it is projected to reach 6.570 million; and in the United States, it is anticipated to reach 6.704 million. This substantial demand for patient treatment will undoubtedly give rise to a vast therapeutic market.

In fact, from the perspective of the entire disposable medical endoscope market, China's disposable medical endoscope market was approximately RMB 200 million in 2021. It is projected that the market size in China will reach RMB 2.5 billion by 2025 and further grow to RMB 9.4 billion by 2030. The growth in the global market is even more pronounced; it is estimated that the global disposable medical endoscope market will reach USD 3.3 billion in 2025 and USD 9.2 billion in 2030.

This growth is also attributable to the cost-effectiveness of single-use endoscopes and their advantage over traditional reusable endoscopes in reducing infection rates, which has further driven an increase in adoption penetration. In China, the penetration rate of single-use endoscopes is projected to rise to 6.3% by 2025 and reach 15.4% by 2030. Globally, the market penetration rate for single-use endoscopes is expected to reach 11.4% in 2025 and 23.2% by 2030. However, as previously mentioned, the minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment market relies on a comprehensive ecosystem. While single-use medical endoscopes are demonstrating their advantages and achieving rapid growth, it is essential to recognize the continued importance of reusable endoscopes, which still outperform single-use alternatives in areas such as imaging quality.

Scivita Medical Global Headquarters, R&D and Manufacturing Base

Scivita Medical has always maintained that “single-use endoscopes and reusable endoscopes are not substitutes but complements, and the choice should be based on actual clinical needs.” Driven by its profound understanding of the industry, Scivita Medical has established a comprehensive product portfolio encompassing “reusable endoscopes, single-use endoscopes, and endoscopic equipment systems.” Through its commercial expansion, the company is revolutionizing the minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment market.

Ultimately, as Dr. Chen Dong, Co-founder, General Manager, and Chief Technology Officer of Scivita Medical, pointed out, “By leveraging Boston Scientific’s comprehensive channel network and extensive professional education programs to reach a broader market in China, we will make high-quality medical resources accessible to more Chinese patients. We believe that this strong partnership between a global leader in medical technology and an emerging domestic force will accelerate the global expansion of China’s medical innovations.”