Ronovo Surgical

Ronovo Surgical has positioned itself as a pioneer in modular surgical robotics since its founding in 2019. The company’s flagship Carina platform became China’s first modular laparoscopic surgical robot to receive NMPA approval covering four major specialties simultaneously in March 2025, marking a significant milestone in the domestic surgical robotics industry.

Company Overview

Founded in Shanghai’s technology innovation hub, Ronovo Surgical was established by Dr. John Ma, former Senior Vice President at Intuitive Surgical and Global Partner at Fosun Group. Co-founder and CTO Ying Mao previously served as systems engineering lead at Auris Health (now part of Johnson & Johnson) and founded Dreamworld AR. This leadership team brings over two decades of combined experience specifically in surgical robotics development and commercialization.

The company name derives from “Robot” and “novo” (Latin for innovation), reflecting its commitment to original design rather than replicating existing systems. Ronovo operates under the principle that “innovation does not necessarily start with imitation,” focusing on addressing actual clinical needs through proprietary technology.

Core Products

Carina™ / 海山一®

The Carina platform represents Ronovo’s inaugural robotic system, unveiled in February 2023 after exiting stealth mode. Unlike traditional single-column surgical robots where all arms are mounted on one base, Carina employs a modular architecture with independently deployable robotic arm carts. Each cart features mobile wheels, allowing surgical teams to configure arm positioning based on specific procedural requirements.

Key differentiators include:

• Modular design enabling flexible arm placement around the patient
• Both articulated and straight instrument options
• Configurable for different specialties and surgical approaches
• 200+ patent applications protecting proprietary technology

The system received NMPA Class III medical device registration (Certificate No.: 国械注准20253010500) in March 2025, becoming the first modular surgical robot in China to obtain initial approval covering general surgery, thoracic surgery, gynecology, and urology simultaneously.

Technology & Innovation

Ronovo’s engineering approach addresses three core challenges in surgical robotics adoption: multi-specialty adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and learning curve reduction. The modular architecture specifically targets limitations of integrated single-column designs, which can restrict range of motion in procedures requiring large operative fields.

The company has established the Ronovo Institute for Surgical Excellence (RISE) in Orlando, Florida, to support international clinical collaboration and training. A global manufacturing base and clinical research center was also established in Yangzhou, China in March 2025.

Clinical trials for the Carina platform achieved 100% procedural success rates across multiple centers and specialties, with no conversions to conventional laparoscopic or open surgery required.

Market Presence

Ronovo has secured significant investment backing, raising over $100 million in 2025 alone across Series C and Series D rounds. Total funding has exceeded $119 million since the company’s founding. Notable investors include Johnson & Johnson’s corporate venture arm JJDC, Lilly Asia Ventures, Matrix Partners China, Vivo Capital, INCE Capital, and Granite Asia.

In September 2025, Ronovo signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson Medical (Shanghai) to expand surgical technology access in China, combining the Carina platform with complementary J&J MedTech surgical technologies.

The company has initiated global expansion with regulatory submissions underway in Europe and South America.

Key Milestones

• 2019: Company founded in Shanghai
• 2021: Completed Series A financing
• 2023 Feb: Carina platform unveiled, exited stealth mode with $50M+ raised
• 2024 Jul: RISE training center established in Orlando, USA
• 2024 Dec: Expert consensus guidelines for modular robots in thoracic surgery initiated
• 2025 Mar: NMPA approval received for Carina covering four specialties
• 2025 Mar: Global manufacturing base established in Yangzhou
• 2025: Red Dot Design Award received
• 2025 Sep: Series D closed at $67M, J&J strategic collaboration announced

Frequently Asked Questions

What specialties does the Carina robot support?

The Carina platform has received NMPA approval for four major surgical specialties: general surgery, thoracic surgery, gynecology, and urology. Clinical applications include procedures such as low anterior resection, iliac lymph node dissection, and lobectomy.

Is Ronovo Surgical publicly traded?

No, Ronovo Surgical remains privately held as of January 2026. The company has raised over $119 million across multiple funding rounds from institutional investors including JJDC, Lilly Asia Ventures, and Granite Asia.

How does Carina differ from traditional surgical robots?

Unlike conventional single-column surgical robots where all arms attach to one central base, Carina uses independently mobile arm carts that can be positioned flexibly around the surgical field. This modular design addresses space constraints in operating rooms and enables customized configurations for different procedures and specialties.