Ronovo Surgical Secures $67M in Funding, Partners with Johnson & Johnson for Robotic Surgery Expansion

Shanghai-based Ronovo Surgical has announced a significant milestone in its journey to revolutionize minimally invasive surgery. The company has successfully raised $67 million in a Series D financing round, led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation's venture capital arm, JJDC. This latest funding brings Ronovo's total capital raised in 2025 to over $100 million, positioning the company for accelerated growth in the competitive surgical robotics market.

Strategic Collaboration with Johnson & Johnson

In a move that signals strong industry confidence, Ronovo has also inked a collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson Medical Shanghai Ltd. This partnership aims to expand surgical technology offerings to hospitals across parts of China, combining Ronovo's Carina robotic surgery platform for soft tissue procedures with complementary J&J surgical products.

"We're excited about the strategic collaboration with Johnson & Johnson MedTech, which will further accelerate our commercial momentum in China while laying the foundation for international growth," said John Ma, Ph.D., Ronovo's founder, chairman, and CEO.

Carina Platform: A Modular Approach to Robotic Surgery

Ronovo's flagship product, the Carina platform, received regulatory approval from China's National Medical Products Administration in March 2025. The system, which features up to five robotic arms mounted on separate wheeled carts, is approved for a wide range of procedures, including urologic, gynecologic, thoracic, and general surgeries.

A recent clinical study published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports demonstrated the Carina platform's efficacy in urology procedures. The study reported successful completion of all 19 procedures without the need to convert to manual control, though one major complication was noted.

Global Expansion and Market Positioning

With its recent funding and strategic partnership, Ronovo is poised for international expansion. The company has already begun regulatory submissions in Europe and South America, signaling its intent to compete on a global scale.

As the surgical robotics field becomes increasingly crowded, Ronovo's modular approach addresses "flexibility, adaptability, and affordability challenges posed by legacy robotic surgical systems," according to company statements. This strategy may prove crucial as the company seeks to differentiate itself in a market dominated by established players like Intuitive Surgical.