Longhe Medical

Longhe Medical operates as a specialized developer of flexible endoscopic surgical robots and bronchoscopy navigation systems, focusing on natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) for pulmonary diseases. Founded in 2015 at Shanghai’s Lingang Zero Bay Innovation Hub, the company has established itself as a domestic leader in flexible robot technology for lung cancer early diagnosis and treatment.

Company Overview

Longhe Medical emerged from the growing clinical need for precise, minimally invasive approaches to pulmonary lesion diagnosis. The company was founded by Dr. Ma Jiajun, who holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Tsinghua University and previously worked at GE Healthcare and Medtronic. This combination of academic rigor and industry experience shaped the company’s technology development strategy.

The company serves as the lead organization for the National Key R&D Program under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for the “Development of Transbronchial Diagnostic and Therapeutic Robot Systems.” This government-backed initiative reflects the strategic importance placed on developing domestic capabilities in flexible surgical robotics.

Longhe Medical maintains close research collaboration with Tsinghua University and has built a diversified product portfolio spanning dozens of medical technology products. The company operates its management, marketing, and R&D headquarters in Shanghai, complemented by a 5,000-square-meter GMP manufacturing facility, R&D pilot base, and product exhibition center in the Xitaihu International Medical Device Industrial Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province.

Core Products

Infinity Bronchoscopy Navigation System

Approved by NMPA in May 2022, the Infinity system represents Longhe Medical’s first commercially available product. This bronchoscopy navigation platform shares its core technology with the company’s flexible surgical robot, featuring next-generation ultra-distance precision navigation capabilities. Combined with pre-bent positioning catheters, the system assists physicians in locating targets within lung tissue and establishing working channels for various pulmonary procedures.

Unicorn (麒麟) Flexible Endoscopic Surgical Robot

Unveiled in 2021, the Unicorn system represents China’s first domestically developed flexible endoscopic surgical robot with complete independent intellectual property rights. The platform integrates precision real-time navigation, ultra-thin endoscopy, 360-degree flexible control, and intelligent visual algorithms. Key capabilities include full visualization, continuous positioning, whole-lung accessibility, and 5G remote control functionality.

The Unicorn system is currently undergoing multicenter registration clinical trials, marking the first domestic clinical study for a pulmonary flexible surgical robot system. Core components have been localized, providing the foundation for cost-effective deployment in the Chinese market.

Technology & Innovation

Longhe Medical’s technical foundation rests on two integrated platforms:

Ultra-Distance Precision Navigation Platform: This technology enables real-time physical positioning combined with optical field fusion, providing high-precision guidance for transbronchial procedures. The platform supports autonomous AI-based path planning for navigating complex bronchial anatomy to reach peripheral lung lesions.

Flexible Robot Control Platform: The company’s flexible robot architecture addresses the fundamental challenge of accessing peripheral lung nodules through natural airway passages. The system achieves manipulation precision while maintaining the flexibility required to navigate through branching bronchial structures.

Patent portfolio analysis indicates over 40 patent applications, with more than 55% classified as invention patents. The company’s intellectual property focuses on positioning sensors, radiofrequency ablation, and related technologies essential for image-guided interventional procedures.

Market Presence

Longhe Medical has achieved commercial installations and clinical applications across multiple tertiary hospitals in China. The company’s market positioning targets the substantial unmet clinical need for early-stage lung cancer diagnosis, where traditional biopsy approaches face limitations in accuracy and patient trauma.

International competitors in this space include Johnson & Johnson’s Auris Health (Monarch platform) and Intuitive Surgical’s Ion system, both of which have demonstrated rapid commercial growth in the United States. Longhe Medical aims to provide comparable technological capabilities at price points appropriate for the Chinese healthcare market.

The company holds EU CE certification and Chinese quality system certification, establishing the regulatory foundation for potential international expansion.

Key Milestones

• 2015: Company founded in Shanghai Lingang Zero Bay Innovation Hub
• 2016: Received angel investment from Shanlan Capital
• 2017: Completed Series A financing led by Xieli Investment and Taiyue Investment
• 2020: Received additional investment from CASIC-affiliated Guoke Investment
• 2021: Released China’s first domestically developed flexible endoscopic surgical robot
• 2022: Infinity bronchoscopy navigation system received NMPA approval (May)
• 2022: Completed Series B financing exceeding ¥100M led by Yinglian Health Fund
• 2023: Completed Series C financing exceeding ¥100M led by Shanghai Guotou Asset Management and Jiuyou Fund (December)

Recognition & Awards

• China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition National Outstanding Enterprise Award
• Top 50 Most Influential Enterprises in National Medical Health
• Top 100 National Innovative Growth Enterprises
• Jiangsu Province Potential Unicorn Enterprise
• Jiangsu Province Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program Enterprise

Frequently Asked Questions

What products does Longhe Medical currently offer?

Longhe Medical offers the Infinity bronchoscopy navigation system, which received NMPA approval in May 2022. The company’s Unicorn flexible endoscopic surgical robot is currently in registration clinical trials.

Is Longhe Medical publicly traded?

No, Longhe Medical remains privately held. The company has completed multiple funding rounds totaling several hundred million RMB, with investors including government-affiliated funds such as CASIC Guoke Investment and Shanghai Guotou Asset Management.

What makes Longhe Medical’s technology different from competitors?

Longhe Medical focuses specifically on transbronchial flexible robotic surgery for pulmonary applications. The Unicorn system combines real-time navigation, ultra-thin endoscopy, 360-degree flexible instrument control, and 5G remote capabilities. The company emphasizes localized core component manufacturing to enable cost-effective deployment in Chinese hospitals.