Investment flows into surgical technology as Ronovo Surgical has finalized a major funding round intended to bolster its presence at home and abroad. With minimally invasive procedures gaining popularity among healthcare providers, modular robotic platforms are responding to the demand for innovative surgical assistance. The Carina system, designed by Ronovo, offers surgeons configurable options for various specialties, and is already showing momentum in China’s rapidly growing healthcare market. The funding underscores wider industry interest in making advanced surgical procedures more accessible.
Last year, Ronovo Surgical’s progress was marked by notable funding rounds and product unveilings but lacked formal arrangements with multinational healthcare companies. Since the Carina platform’s introduction in February 2023, announcements focused on its technological adaptability and local regulatory submissions. Earlier Chinese trials highlighted Carina’s versatility for different procedures, yet international expansion plans remained undeveloped until the most recent agreement with Johnson & Johnson. The $67 million investment now marks a significant increase not only in resources but also in strategic partnerships targeting both the Chinese and overseas markets, a shift from previous funding rounds that largely concentrated on development and regulatory milestones.
What Does the Series D Funding Mean for Ronovo?
With the addition of $67 million in Series D financing led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation—JJDC—Ronovo’s total funding surpasses $100 million for 2025. Other investors, including Lilly Asia Ventures, INCE Capital, and Granite Asia, also contributed, demonstrating renewed confidence in the company’s growth potential. Ronovo will direct the new funds toward accelerating commercialization of the Carina robotic surgery platform, particularly in China where regulatory approvals have laid strong groundwork for distribution.
How Will the J&J Collaboration Impact Market Reach?
As part of the financing round, Ronovo signed a targeted collaboration with Johnson & Johnson MedTech to leverage both the Carina platform and complementary J&J technologies in select Chinese hospitals. This partnership is expected to enhance Carina’s adoption by combining it with established surgical tools and support from an experienced global healthcare provider. Ronovo emphasized the collaboration’s significance in strengthening their expansion efforts:
“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.”
What Is Unique About the Carina Platform?
Ronovo’s Carina platform received approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration in March 2025, making it the first modular surgical robotic system in China to gain clearance for general surgery, gynecology, urology, and thoracic surgery. Configured for flexibility, Carina allows surgeons to select suitable instruments and access approaches for minimally invasive procedures. The modular structure supports rapid adaptation for various surgical specializations, aiming to streamline operating room efficiency. The company stated the vision behind Carina:
“Carina — flexible, adaptable, and affordable — embodies our commitment to democratizing access to surgical robotics on a global scale.”
Ronovo has already begun to initiate submissions for regulatory approval in Europe and South America, indicating the company’s intention to extend its presence beyond China. This expansion is in the early phases, with international regulatory and market hurdles still to be addressed. Nevertheless, aligning its product with both regional healthcare needs and international distributor networks remains a central goal.
Ronovo’s new funding consolidates its ability to compete in the global surgical robotics market, with a clear strategic advantage from its partnership with Johnson & Johnson. Compared to established players, modularity and adaptable instrument selection stand out as Carina’s main distinguishing features, potentially lowering barriers to adoption for a range of hospitals. Readers following medical device advancements can expect continued announcements about regulatory progress, additional partnerships, and Carina’s impact on surgical procedure accessibility, especially in regions with limited current access to robotic surgery. For healthcare providers, developments like these mark opportunities to evaluate new modular systems both for economic feasibility and care outcomes as the competitive landscape continues to change.
- Ronovo Surgical raised $67 million to expand its Carina robotic platform.
- The company partnered with Johnson & Johnson MedTech for Chinese market access.
- Carina’s modular design supports broad surgical applications across specialties.
