Hong Kong – September 07, 2026 -- Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) will make a strategic investment of approximately $700 million in Hong Kong-based Cornerstone Robotics, securing distribution rights for the Sentire surgical system in select markets outside the United States where the device is already cleared.
Medtronic secures rights to Sentire outside the US market
The agreement gives Medtronic distribution rights to Cornerstone Robotics' Sentire surgical system in ex-US markets where regulatory approval has already been granted. Matt Anderson, Senior Vice President and President of Medtronic's surgical solutions division, said the deal expands robotics choice for patients and positions Sentire as a complement to Medtronic's existing Hugo platform.
Sentire has cleared regulatory hurdles in China, the EU and Singapore
Cornerstone Robotics' Sentire system received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration in 2024. In May 2026, it obtained CE marking in the European Union and clearance from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority, covering minimally invasive general, gynecological, thoracic and urological procedures.
Global robotic surgery adoption remains in single digits
Robotic-assisted procedures still account for only a few percentage points of total surgeries worldwide, according to the companies. Prof. Kwok Wai Samuel Au, founder and CEO of Cornerstone Robotics, said the partnership addresses the gap between rising demand for minimally invasive surgery and limited availability of robotic technology, allowing the company to scale core surgical robotics technologies developed through in-house R&D across its full technology stack.
Cornerstone Robotics operates a vertically integrated manufacturing base
Cornerstone Robotics develops its hardware, control software, algorithms, and imaging and energy platforms in-house. The company runs three global R&D centers, six business centers, and a 30,000-square-meter manufacturing facility in China.
Legal and financial advisors structured the transaction
Kirkland & Ellis and Global Law Office advised Cornerstone Robotics on legal matters. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Medtronic, with Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP acting as lead legal counsel.