Johnson & Johnson Unveils Strategic Refocus on Surgery, Vision, and Cardiovascular Health with Robotic and Digital Innovation

October 15, 2025, Johnson & Johnson MedTech Global Executive Vice President and ChairmanTim SchmidIn representation, Johnson & Johnson is entering an era focused onSurgical Robotics, Cardiovascular Technology, and Portfolio RestructuringAt the core of the new growth cycle,Focusing on high-growthSurgery, Vision, Cardiovascular（high-growth areas of surgery, vision and cardiovascular health), and willComplete the orthopedic business within the next two years (DePuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics) The Split, forming a more focused business structure.

1. Why the Focus:

Shifting from low-growth businesses to high-growth tracks

Schmid pointed out that Johnson & Johnson is systematically reallocating resources fromLow-growth Sector(such as traditional implants and consumables) shift towardsHigh-growth Track，Mainly including surgical robots, cardiovascular interventions, and digital surgery ecosystems.

The logic behind this decision has two layers:

• Market Trend Level: Global surgery is accelerating towardsMinimally Invasive, Intelligent, DigitalSurgical robots and cardiovascular intervention technologies are in an upward cycle in terms of demand and capital.

• Company Endowment Level: Johnson & Johnson inSurgical Instruments (Ethicon)、Visualization SystemAndDigital Data ManagementWith a deep accumulation in the field, coupled with large-scale mergers and acquisitions in the cardiovascular sector over the past few years (Abiomed, Shockwave Medical), it has formed “Toolchain + Energy Source + Data Closed-loop"The Complex Advantage."

2. Key Business Lines:

From Robotics to Cardiovascular: A Dual-Driven Approach

1. Surgical Robots: Dual Main Lines + Localization Strategy

(1) Ottava: Integrated Laparoscopic Robotic System
Ottava is one of the flagship projects of Johnson & Johnson Medical Technologies.

• Received FDA Approval in 2024IDE (Investigational Device Exemption)Approval;

• Complete the first clinical surgery by 2025;

• The company plans to2026Initiate registration submission.

The biggest feature of the Ottava system is that itFour robotic armsDirectly integrated into the electric operating table, thereby reducing the floor space in the operating room, optimizing the surgical workflow, and achieving“The operating table is the robot.”The design concept. (Official materials state that Ottava adopts a design integrating four robotic arms into the operating table structure, which can be stored under the bed to reduce floor space, minimize arm conflicts, and improve operating room space utilization. However, this description is not entirely consistent with the product renderings released earlier.)

Schmid emphasized at the meeting: "The future of surgical robotics will be determined not by the number of robotic arms, but by data."Whoever can use data to provide better decision support for doctors will define the future of surgery."

(2) Monarch: Respiratory Endoscopy Robotic Platform
The Monarch system was developed by the Auris Health team for the diagnosis and biopsy of early-stage lung cancer.
It enters the distal bronchi of the lungs through a controllable robotic bronchoscope, achieving precise positioning and tissue sampling, which significantly increases the early detection rate of pulmonary nodules.

• In 2025, Johnson & Johnson launched the platform equipped with AI navigation and image enhancement features."Quest" Module`, and obtain`FDA 510(k)Approval;

• The company plans to apply Monarch in the fields of neurosurgery and urology, with potential future expansions to applications such as kidney stone treatment.

(3) Invest in Ruilong Surgical: Layout of Detachable Endoscopic Robot
Notably, Johnson & Johnson recentlyInvested in the Chinese company —— RealStar Surgical。
Developed by the companySplit-type Endoscopic Surgical RobotAdopting a "four-trolley structure," each trolley corresponds to one robotic arm, allowing for flexible configuration and distributed operation within confined spaces, aligning with the layout and surgical needs of operating rooms in Chinese hospitals.

Schmid said that this investment is an important part of Johnson & Johnson's strategy to "win the global surgical robotics market," indicating that the company is not only advancing its integrated robotic system (Ottava) in the United States but also deepening its presence in emerging markets through localized collaborations.

Summary:Johnson & Johnson's robotic system forms a "three-layer structure":

• Core Layer: Ottava and Monarch form the technical backbone;

• Regional Layer: Raylon Surgical's split system achieves localized implementation in China;

• Data Layer：AI Navigation and Visualization System Builds Long-term Competitive Barriers.

(Note: For information related to surgical robots, readers are advised to refer to the materials under Siyu.)MedRobot WeChat Official Account, where more detailed articles are available)

2. Cardiovascular Technology: Advancing through Acquisitions and Organic Innovation

(1) Cardiac function recovery: Abiomed (Impella series)
In 2022, Johnson & JohnsonApproximately USD 16.6 billionAcquire Abiomed, and integrate it intoImpellaThe inclusion of a series of cardiac mechanical circulatory support devices into the product portfolio significantly strengthens Johnson & Johnson's presence in the heart failure and emergency intervention sectors.

(2) Coronary and Peripheral Calcified Lesions: Shockwave Medical (IVL Technology)
Between 2024 and 2025, Johnson & JohnsonApproximately USD 13.1 billionComplete the acquisition of Shockwave Medical.
The company with "Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)"Renowned for providing minimally invasive treatment solutions for complex calcified lesions."

(3) Structural Heart Field: Laminar and V-Wave

• Laminar: Focusing on left atrial appendage closure and ablation technology, the transaction amount is approximately$400 million；

• V-Wave: Focusing on heart failure shunt devices, the maximum transaction amount can reach$1.7 billion。

These acquisitions will be integrated under Johnson & Johnson.Biosense WebsterThe electrophysiology platform forms a synergy, covering the full-cycle solution from rhythm management to structural heart treatment.

(Note: For information related to cardiovascular topics, readers can refer to the "Heart Future" WeChat Official Account under Siyu for more detailed articles.)

3. Financial Signals:

The Necessity of Splitting and Focusing

In the second quarter of 2025, Johnson & Johnson achieved total revenue of approximately$23.7 billion, year-on-year growth5.8%; Approximately the third quarter$240 billion, year-on-year growth6.8%. Among them,Cardiovascular and Surgical BusinessContributed the main increment.
The company clearly stated in its financial report that it would continue to concentrate resources onHigh-growth, high-margin innovative fields。

By contrast, the global growth rate of the orthopedic market has slowed significantly: the product update cycle has lengthened, pressure from centralized procurement has increased, and innovation space for implants is limited.
Against this backdrop, the spin-off of the orthopedics business and the promotion of independent operations are regarded asUnlock Capital EfficiencyAndEnhance Overall ValuationThe rational choice.

4. Handling Methods for Orthopedic Services:

DePuy Synthes Operates Independently

DePuy Synthes will be spun off from Johnson & JohnsonIndependent Company, it is estimated that18–24 monthsCompleted within.
The business achieved revenue of approximately$9.2 billion, with approximately15,000 employees。
Schmid mentioned in his speech: "This is a very difficult but responsible decision. We must ensure that the orthopedic business has the freedom to develop independently and grow at its own pace."

DePuy Synthes, after becoming independent, will retain its brand and product portfolio, continuing to compete in the global market with orthopedic giants such as Stryker and Zimmer Biomet.

5. Siyu Observation:

The Deep Logic Behind Splitting and Focusing

Johnson & Johnson's restructuring is not a short-term financial optimization, but aStrategic "Load Reduction and Focus"。
Its core goal is to make the business structure more aligned with the "innovation cycle" of medical technology:

• Traditional Orthopedics: More reliant on mature markets, long cycles, and high innovation thresholds;

• Robotics and Cardiovascular: Represents the future growth engine, capable of deep integration with data, AI, and clinical pathways.

SiYu MedTech believes:

• Johnson & Johnson's robotic layout has formed a "global dual-track"——With Ottava and Monarch as the core technologies, and Raydragon Surgical as the fulcrum in China, a global + local systematic competitiveness is formed.

• Cardiovascular Integration in Accelerating the Construction of a "Closed Loop"——From electrophysiology to structural heart, from recovery to repair, Johnson & Johnson's investment logic is "full disease course coverage."

• The Spin-off of DePuy Synthes Will Unlock a Win-win Situation——Orthopedic business is expected to gain independent capitalization and growth space, while the parent company focuses its resources on digital surgery and high-growth sectors.

In the robotics sector, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and Intuitive Medical have formed a competitive landscape of three major global systems. However, in reality, Chinese surgical robotics companies are showing even stronger momentum than Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson, making them highly anticipated!
In the next few years,Can Johnson & Johnson truly deliver on the "next growth cycle" with its data and system integration capabilities?, Siyu will continue to pay attention.