Intuitive Surgical is expanding its presence in Shanghai through clinical training, stronger ties with Chinese companies in the surgical robotics supply chain, and efforts to advance digitalization and AI, according to Gary S. Guthart, executive chair of the company's board of directors.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 38th annual meeting of the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai (IBLAC).

Founded in 1989, IBLAC is an advisory council that brings together executives of multinational companies and industry experts each year to provide advice on Shanghai's development and opening-up. A total of 42 international business leaders from 14 countries attended the 38th annual meeting on Oct 11.

Guthart, attending the council's annual meeting for the third time, said this year's focus on service innovation was closely connected with advances in medical technology. Healthcare innovation should ultimately improve patient outcomes and experiences, support healthcare teams, lower the total cost of treatment, and expand access to advanced care, he added.

Guthart said Shanghai had developed a strong ecosystem for advanced medical technology, including surgical robotics, supported by its engineering capabilities, AI innovation, and high-quality clinical resources. "Ingredients are all here. They are working very well together," he said.

Intuitive has operated in China for 20 years and established Intuitive Fosun, a joint venture with Fosun Pharma, in Shanghai in 2017. Shanghai is home to Intuitive Fosun's headquarters and industrial base.

More than 22,000 trained Chinese physicians have used the company's systems to treat about 1 million patients in China, according to Guthart.

He said Intuitive has focused on three areas as it expands its operations in China: training clinical professionals, building relationships with Chinese companies in the surgical robotics supply chain, and advancing digitalization and AI.

The company operates a clinical training center in Shanghai and works with hospitals and physicians to support the application of robotic-assisted surgery.

One example of its digital technology is the Ion robotic bronchoscopy system, which has already been put into use in China. For each procedure, the system creates a three-dimensional map based on the individual patient's lung anatomy to guide physicians to the targeted lesion.

The company plans to showcase its latest innovations at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November, including the da Vinci 5 and da Vinci SP surgical systems.

Shanghai's combination of hospitals, engineering expertise, technology companies, manufacturing capacity, and professional training provides a strong foundation for further collaboration, Guthart said.

He also identified secure integration of high-quality healthcare data as an important area for further development. Closer collaboration among hospitals, policymakers, and technology companies, supported by privacy protection and cybersecurity, could help improve clinical outcomes and expand access to advanced healthcare, he said.

"We do not view China just as a distribution market," Guthart said, emphasizing the company's commitment to working for the benefit of Chinese patients and working with local innovators, suppliers, and physicians.