Zhangjiang Science City, a core hub for medical device innovation in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, has seen a record 14 Class III innovative medical devices approved this year, according to data released at the 2026 Zhangjiang Pharma Valley Innovation Conference Medical Device Forum on Aug 28.

Among the 14 medical devices approved are an invasive brain-computer interface medical device that obtained the world's first market approval; a motor-separated interventional left ventricular assist device from ForQaly; and China's first domestically produced dual-source photon-counting CT system from Siemens.

The event launched the world's first humanoid surgical robot project based on a surgical world model, initiated by Zhangjiang-based company Linyan.

The project combines the cognitive capabilities of a surgical world model with dexterous robotic operation, advancing the transformation of surgical robots from "passive tools" to "active partners".

"The core of this surgical world model is to let AI truly understand surgery. It is not meant to replace doctors but to equip clinical practice with standardized, high-precision operational capabilities," said Liu Yang, chairman of Linyan.

He noted the company launched research and development in Zhangjiang to leverage the area's complete ecosystem for translating medical engineering innovations for faster iteration and clinical validation.

Pudong now hosts 200 international medical device enterprises, including all of the world's top 10 medical device firms, six of which are based in Zhangjiang.

More than 40 local companies have had innovative products approved for European and Northern American markets, with leading firms steadily raising their overseas revenue shares.

MedBot's Toumai laparoscopic surgical robot obtained European Conformity marking under the European Union Medical Device Regulation in June, with global orders exceeding 300 units across more than 60 countries and regions.

Pudong released a plan in July for building an AI plus biopharmaceutical industrial cluster from 2026 to 2028, targeting source innovation, new drug development and intelligent medical devices.

Zhangjiang will also expand into future tracks including brain-computer interfaces, micro-nano robots and brain-inspired intelligence.

Source: The Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Pudong New Area Committee