Intuitive Fosun

Intuitive Fosun operates as the exclusive partner for da Vinci surgical systems in mainland China and Hong Kong, and became the first company to manufacture da Vinci robots outside of the United States when its Shanghai production facility commenced operations in 2024.

Company Overview

Established in 2017, Intuitive Fosun represents a strategic partnership between Intuitive Surgical—the global leader in robotic-assisted surgery—and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group. The joint venture structure allocates 60% ownership to Intuitive Surgical and 40% to Fosun Pharma, reflecting a significant commitment from both parties to the Chinese market.

The company’s formation followed years of da Vinci presence in China. The first da Vinci system entered China in 2006 at the PLA General Hospital (301 Hospital), with commercial approval following in 2008. From 2019 onwards, Intuitive Fosun assumed responsibility for all da Vinci sales, marketing, distribution, and after-sales service in the region.

China ranks as Intuitive Surgical’s second-largest single-country market globally, a position that justified the substantial investment in local manufacturing capabilities.

Manufacturing & Facilities

The Intuitive Fosun headquarters and production base in Shanghai Zhangjiang Science City spans approximately 2.08 hectares with total investment exceeding 700 million RMB. Construction began in July 2022, with structural completion in April 2023 and full operational launch in June 2024.

Production capacity targets include 300 da Vinci Xi systems annually during the initial phase, with projected annual output value of 5.29 billion RMB at full capacity. The facility handles both complete system assembly and component manufacturing, with certain consumables—including Ion system biopsy needles—produced entirely locally and exported to meet 70% of global demand.

The facility also houses an upgraded Innovation Center spanning 8,000 square meters, functioning as Intuitive’s largest training center in the Asia-Pacific region with annual capacity for over 4,000 medical professionals.

Core Products

Da Vinci Xi Surgical System (Locally Manufactured)

The locally manufactured da Vinci Xi received NMPA approval in June 2023 under registration number 国械注准20233010800. This fourth-generation platform features four robotic arms, 10x magnification 3D HD vision, and EndoWrist instruments with 7 degrees of freedom and 90-degree articulation.

Approved indications cover urology, general surgery, gynecology, thoracic surgery, and pediatric surgery. The first locally manufactured unit rolled off the production line in October 2023, marking a significant milestone in China’s medical device localization efforts.

Ion Bronchoscopy Navigation System

The Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform received NMPA approval in March 2024 (registration number 国械注进20243010155) and achieved first commercial installation in September 2024. This shape-sensing flexible robotic catheter enables access to all 18 lung segments for peripheral pulmonary lesion diagnosis and treatment.

Four Ion systems were sold in China during 2024, targeting early-stage lung cancer detection—a critical need given lung cancer’s prevalence in China.

Da Vinci SP Single-Port System

The da Vinci SP (Single Port) system entered NMPA’s innovative medical device special review program in 2024, which accelerates regulatory review timelines. This system delivers three multi-jointed instruments and a fully articulating 3D HD endoscope through a single arm for single-incision or natural orifice surgery. Imported units currently operate at select institutions including 301 Hospital.

Market Presence

By the end of 2024, Intuitive Fosun had achieved:

• 58 da Vinci installations during 2024
• Cumulative installations exceeding 460 units
• Presence in over 300 hospitals across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau
• Over 670,000 patients treated with da Vinci assistance
• 7 regional training centers established
• More than 15,000 medical professionals trained

The company maintains partnerships with over 20 National Health Commission-accredited Grade 3A hospitals for establishing da Vinci training centers, creating an integrated clinical practice and education system.

Localization Strategy

Intuitive Fosun pursues a three-tier localization roadmap:

1. Capital System Localization: Complete manufacturing of da Vinci Xi systems in China, operational since 2024
2. Instruments & Accessories: Local production of consumables including robotic arms and surgical necessities, partially achieved with Ion biopsy needles
3. AI & Digitalization: Collaboration with Chinese medical institutions to use local clinical data and address specific market needs

This strategy aims to reduce costs while maintaining quality, with pricing for locally manufactured systems reportedly between 13-20 million RMB compared to approximately 35 million RMB for imported units.

Key Milestones

• 2017: Intuitive Fosun established as joint venture
• 2019: Assumed full da Vinci operations in China
• December 2020: Da Vinci Innovation Center construction commenced
• October 2021: Innovation Center (1,700 sqm) operational in Zhangjiang
• July 2022: Headquarters and production base groundbreaking
• June 2023: Locally manufactured da Vinci Xi received NMPA approval
• August 2023: Production license obtained
• October 2023: First locally manufactured da Vinci Xi unveiled
• March 2024: Ion bronchoscopy system received NMPA approval
• June 2024: Headquarters and production base fully operational
• September 2024: First Ion commercial installation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between Intuitive Fosun and Intuitive Surgical?

Intuitive Fosun is a joint venture where Intuitive Surgical holds 60% ownership and Fosun Pharma holds 40%. Intuitive Surgical provides technology licensing and manufacturing know-how, while Fosun contributes local market expertise and regulatory capabilities. The partnership enables local manufacturing of da Vinci systems in China.

Are locally manufactured da Vinci robots the same as imported versions?

The locally manufactured da Vinci Xi systems are based on the same fourth-generation technology platform as imported units, produced under Intuitive Surgical’s quality standards and technology authorization. The primary differences relate to manufacturing location and regulatory classification (domestic vs. imported medical device registration).

How does Intuitive Fosun’s pricing compare to domestic competitors?

Locally manufactured da Vinci Xi systems are priced at approximately 13-20 million RMB, significantly lower than imported versions at around 35 million RMB but higher than most domestic competitors. The company builds on brand recognition from over 700,000 Chinese patient cases and broad training infrastructure to differentiate its offering.