Medtronic Partners with Cornerstone Robotics, Signaling Deepening Commitment to Local Innovation in China's Surgical Robotics Sector

　　【Pharmaceutical Network - Industry Trends] Recently, Medtronic announced a collaboration with domestic surgicalRobotStrategic Partnership Established with Cornerstone Robotics. Under the cooperation agreement, Medtronic will make a strategic investment of approximately $700 million in Cornerstone Robotics and obtain the rights to distribute Cornerstone’s Sentire® laparoscopic surgical robot system in certain approved markets outside the United States. While distributing the Sentire® system, Medtronic will continue to promote and sell its Hugo™ robotic-assisted surgical system.
 

It is understood that the Sentire® endoscopic surgical robot is a domestically developed and manufactured endoscopic surgical robot independently researched, developed, and produced by Cornerstone Robotics. This surgical robot features mechanical "hands" with 600° of flexible wrist articulation, an ultra-large 27L master console operating space, an immersive glasses-free 3D vision system, and 10x magnification capability.
 

In 2024, Sentire® was approved for market launch by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). In May 2026, it further obtained CE marking in the European Union and certification from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore. Both certifications cover minimally invasive surgical procedures in urology, general surgery, gynecology, and thoracic surgery.
 

Industry observers believe that the partnership between Medtronic and Cornerstone Robotics not only signifies multinational corporations’ deep recognition of China’s medical device market and local innovation capabilities, but also represents a strategic synergy between “industry leaders × innovative enterprises.” It is reported that since 2026, Medtronic has also led Pulnovo Medical’s $100 million Series D financing round and signed a commercial cooperation agreement with Pulnovo Medical. This agreement aims to fully leverage the commercial synergies between Pulnovo Medical and Medtronic, utilizing Medtronic’s unique and robust global commercialization capabilities to jointly promote the widespread adoption of innovative therapies.
 

In fact, in addition to Medtronic, many other leading multinational medical device companies have been leveraging capital, distribution channels, and localization commitments in recent years to gain access to innovative products and supply chain advantages from Chinese enterprises specializing in surgical robots and interventional devices.
 

In January 2026, Johnson & Johnson MedTech and Changyida signed an upgraded strategic cooperation agreement. Led by the global R&D team of Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s Neurovascular Business Unit, the partnership will leverage each party’s technological and professional strengths in neurointervention to accelerate the development and commercialization of forward-looking intracranial interventional solutions. Previously, the innovative product jointly launched by both parties, the Qiangyida Flow Diverter Stent, was marketed in 2025.
 

In September 2025, Johnson & Johnson Innovation led a $67 million Series D financing round for Ruilong Surgery, and the two parties also signed a strategic cooperation agreement. By combining the modular advantages of Ruilong Surgery’s Haishan Yi® laparoscopic surgical robot system with Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s advanced technologies in minimally invasive surgery, the partners will provide healthcare institutions in selected regions of China with a more comprehensive suite of digital minimally invasive surgical solutions. It is reported that Ruilong Surgery has initiated the regulatory registration process for its Haishan Yi® laparoscopic surgical robot system in Europe and South America.
 

On February 10, 2025, Cordis signed an agreement with BrosMed Medical to exclusively distribute the next-generation drug-coated peripheral balloon dilation catheter, Vasecure. Following the execution of the national exclusive distribution agreement with BrosMed Medical, Cordis will accelerate the commercialization of the product. Meanwhile, this collaboration will also help Cordis further expand its peripheral interventional therapy product portfolio, providing a comprehensive range of localized products for physicians and patients in China.
 

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Industry observers believe that these collaborations underscore the growing recognition by multinational corporations of China’s innovation capabilities and supply chain advantages. In the future, more domestic medical device companies are expected to leverage capital and distribution channels from leading multinationals to gain global empowerment and accelerate their expansion into overseas markets.
 

　　Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall the information contained herein or the opinions expressed constitute investment advice to any person.