Hong Kong must widen surgical robotics access: FS
Financial Secretary Paul Chan has urged the surgical robotics industry to move beyond proving technical precision and focus on widening access to care, as Hong Kong seeks to become a global hub for medical-device innovation. Speaking at the inaugural Surgical Futures Forum organised by Hong Kong-based surgical robotics company Cornerstone Robotics, Chan said the field had spent 25 years proving…
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, has called for the surgical robotics industry to expand access to care rather than solely focusing on demonstrating technical precision. Speaking at the inaugural Surgical Futures Forum, Chan emphasized that the field has spent 25 years proving its capabilities and now must broaden access, enabling more surgeons to utilize robotic systems and benefiting more patients.
Design and cost remain substantial barriers, as mainstream systems are tailored for well-resourced hospitals, imposing limitations on installation locations and widespread usage due to high prices, large footprints, and extensive training requirements. Consequently, global penetration remains under five percent. Chan argued that for innovation to genuinely serve humanity, it should encompass more than just advanced technology; it must reach additional patients by overcoming these obstacles.
A significant development occurred in September when global medtech company Medtronic announced a strategic investment of approximately US$700 million in Cornerstone Robotics, securing distribution rights for the company's surgical system in selected international markets. Chan regarded this commitment from a leading global medical-technology firm as a strong endorsement of Hong Kong's innovation sector.
He further noted that the partnership signifies that technology developed locally can earn the trust of industry leaders and, through collaboration, penetrate international markets. Chan also highlighted a robotic platform developed in Hong Kong, currently deployed at a prominent surgical training center in Strasbourg, France, as proof that the city's medtech sector is prepared to train surgeons worldwide.
Beyond individual companies, Chan advocated for Hong Kong as a comprehensive support system for medical-device innovation, encompassing long-term patient capital, biotech fundraising, regulation, clinical data, and intercontinental trials.
Written by urgent.news from RTHK News - Finance's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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