Medtronic and Styker announce strategic investments in Cornerstone Robotics and CMR Surgical
Medtech giants, Medtronic and Stryker, have announced strategic investments in Cornerstone Robotics and CMR Surgical (CMR), respectively, as the companies seek to consolidate their positions in the robotic surgery market.
In early September, Medtronic revealed they had signed a strategic partnership with Cornerstone Robotics, in which Medtronic made an approximately $700 million investment includes rights to distribute Cornerstone Robotics' Sentire surgical system in select markets outside the US, where the system is market approved.
Medtronic will distribute Sentire alongside its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system. Together with Medtronic's connected surgical ecosystem, the two complementary platforms will expand access to robotic-assisted surgery and offer surgeons and health systems more choice and flexible solutions designed to meet their diverse needs and reach more patients globally.
With global adoption of robotic-assisted surgery still in the single digits, the opportunity to expand access to advanced surgical care for patients, physicians and health systems around the world is significant. Expanded choice and access are critical drivers of the future of robotic assisted surgery. Through this partnership, Medtronic and Cornerstone Robotics are building a multi-port portfolio anchored by the Hugo RAS system and expanded by Sentire, giving customers meaningful flexibility across clinical settings, procedural needs, and economic models.
"Our strategy is focused on driving the next generation of minimally invasive surgery, one of our biggest growth opportunities," said Matt Anderson, senior vice president and president, Surgical, Medtronic. "Surgeons, health systems and markets have varying needs and preferences, which is why we are investing across robotic platforms, digital tools and platform-enhancing technologies. With Sentire complementing the Hugo RAS system, Medtronic will be the only company offering this two-platform portfolio combined with our surgical ecosystem - giving customers more access, more choice and flexible solutions that fit their clinical and operational needs."
The partnership builds on the momentum of Medtronic's Hugo RAS system, which is now being used in more than 35 countries across six continents, including the US, where it received FDA clearance within the last year. Procedure growth for the Hugo RAS system is currently more than two times the growth rate of the robotic surgery market, and total procedures are expected to exceed 50,000 globally by the end of Medtronic's fiscal year.
Medtronic will continue to innovate the capabilities of the Hugo RAS system, including ongoing software upgrades, real-time artificial intelligence across its digital ecosystem, integrated stapling, expanded instrumentation, and clinical indications. The modular, multi-quadrant platform is designed for a broad range of soft-tissue surgical procedures and combines wristed instruments, 3D visualisation and Touch Surgery ecosystem with dedicated support for robotics program optimisation, service and training.
The Sentire system's architecture and immersive console with dual-console capability offer a familiar configuration suited to varying surgeon preferences and clinical needs. Developed entirely in-house by Cornerstone Robotics, Sentire has completed multi-specialty clinical trials and received CE Mark in May 2026 for use in minimally invasive general, gynaecologic, thoracic, and urologic surgical procedures in addition to its market approval in China and Singapore.
"Since the founding of Cornerstone Robotics, we have been steadfast in our commitment to innovation, excellence and clinical value," said Samuel Au, founder and CEO, Cornerstone Robotics. "We are confident physicians and patients alike will be the greatest beneficiaries of this partnership as we continue to expand access across this dynamic market."
Medtronic stated that it will continue to invest across its surgical ecosystem to expand access to robotic-assisted solutions for operating rooms around the world.
Stryker and CMR Surgical
Meanwhile, Stryker has made a strategic equity investment of approximately $400 million in CMR that includes an exclusive option for Stryker to acquire the remaining equity of CMR, and an exclusive US commercial agency agreement for the Versius portfolio.
The agreement brings together CMR Surgical’s globally established soft-tissue robotics portfolio, clinical experience and culture of innovation with Stryker’s scale, deep customer relationships, commercial execution and proven track record of bringing innovative technologies to market. Stryker will serve as the exclusive US sales agent for the Versius portfolio, while CMR Surgical will continue to lead portfolio development and commercialisation in markets outside the US.
The alliance comes as demand for robotic-assisted surgery continues to grow, creating an opportunity to help healthcare providers expand robotic-assisted surgery programs with a scalable and practical solution. CMR Surgical’s second-generation robot, with established clinical experience globally, supports a broad range of soft tissue procedures.
Designed for real-world operating environments, the Versius platform’s modular architecture supports flexibility across procedures, surgeon access and sites of care, and can help healthcare providers grow robotic adoption within existing operating room workflows. This scalable approach can help health systems meet growing demand for robotic-assisted surgery while preserving operational flexibility and supporting long-term program economics.
“Soft-tissue robotics is a high-growth adjacency and a natural extension of Stryker’s strengths in endoscopy, visualisation and enabling technologies. We have evaluated the segment carefully for years, and this alliance represents a thoughtful and disciplined entry that combines the complementary strengths of both companies,” said Andy Pierce, Group President, Medsurg and Neurotechnology, Stryker. “We selected CMR Surgical and the Versius portfolio because of the opportunity to help healthcare providers grow robotic-assisted surgery adoption across a broad range of procedures in hospitals and ASCs.”
“This strategic alliance is a significant milestone for CMR and a strong endorsement of the technology, clinical experience and global business we have built,” said Massimiliano Colella, Chief Executive Officer of CMR Surgical. “Stryker’s investment will give us additional strength to accelerate innovation and the continued global expansion of the Versius portfolio, while its scale and deep customer relationships create a significant growth opportunity in the US. We also look forward to welcoming Andy Pierce to our board of directors and benefiting from his more than 30 years of MedTech leadership experience at Stryker as we continue expanding access to robotic-assisted surgery globally.”
Stryker’s exclusive acquisition option provides Stryker the opportunity to acquire 100% of CMR Surgical’s outstanding equity in the future, subject to the agreement’s terms. This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
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