Shanghai-based Ronovo Surgical has raised $67 million in Series D financing, led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., the venture capital arm of J&J. The round also included participation from other investors, further strengthening Ronovo’s position as a rising player in the surgical robotics market.
As part of the financing, Ronovo signed a strategic agreement with Johnson & Johnson Medical Shanghai Ltd. The collaboration aims to integrate Ronovo’s flagship Carina robotic surgery platform with complementary J&J surgical products, making advanced robotic technologies more accessible to hospitals across China.
Building Momentum with Global Expansion
Founded in 2019 by CEO John Ma and CTO Ying Mao, Ronovo has raised more than $100 million over the past year, including a Series C round led by Granite Asia. In 2024, the company secured $44 million in Series B financing, adding to earlier rounds that collectively brought in over $50 million.
With its latest funding, Ronovo is accelerating international expansion, having already initiated regulatory submissions in Europe and South America. According to Ma, the company’s mission is to “democratize access to surgical robotics on a global scale,” a vision that reflects the growing demand for affordable, adaptable robotic systems worldwide.
Carina: A Next-Gen Robotic Surgery Platform
Ronovo’s Carina robotic surgery system is designed for soft tissue procedures across general surgery, gynecology, urology, and thoracic surgery. In March 2025, the platform received regulatory approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), marking a critical milestone in its commercialization journey.
Carina addresses key industry challenges by offering:
- Flexibility: A modular design that adapts to different surgical needs.
- Affordability: Lower costs compared to legacy systems, making robotic surgery more accessible.
- Adaptability: Seamless integration with existing clinical workflows.
These features position Carina as a strong competitor in a field historically dominated by Intuitive Surgical, the maker of the da Vinci robot.
Strategic Partnership with Johnson & Johnson
The agreement with J&J will not only expand Carina’s reach in China but also set the stage for global adoption. Johnson & Johnson is preparing to introduce its own Ottava robotic surgery platform in the U.S., expected to file for FDA approval in early 2026. The partnership demonstrates how both companies can leverage complementary strengths in the increasingly competitive robotic surgery market.
A Crowded but Growing Market
The global surgical robotics market is heating up as more companies challenge Intuitive’s dominance. While J&J advances Ottava, Ronovo’s affordable and adaptable Carina system could capture significant market share, especially in emerging economies.
In China, the market landscape has shifted since 2022, when several provinces imposed limits on patient charges for robotic procedures. This regulatory change impacted Intuitive’s revenue growth, though the company has reported no material financial damage as of June 2025.
Conclusion
With fresh capital, regulatory approvals, and J&J’s backing, Ronovo Surgical is poised to expand its footprint both domestically and internationally. Its focus on scalable, cost-effective robotic platforms aligns with hospitals’ growing need for advanced surgical solutions that balance innovation, accessibility, and affordability.
As Ma stated, “Our collaboration with Johnson & Johnson accelerates our commercial momentum in China and lays the foundation for international growth.”
