(Yicai Global) Aug. 8 -- Ground was broken on a research, development and production center in Shanghai yesterday for the internationally renowned da Vinci surgical system to benefit more Chinese patients.

Costing over CNY700 million (USD103.6 million), the project will create a localized surgical robot ecosystem of technology, training, services, support, and solutions to promote the system’s use in China, Shanghai Observer reported the same day.

“We’ll realize joint research and development of new da Vinci robot products, manufacturing in China, and global sales, so as to benefit all mankind,” the report quoted Chen Qiyu, co-chief executive at Fosun International, the project’s domestic partner, as saying at the launch ceremony.

The project is being funded and developed by Intuitive Surgical-Fosun Medical Technology Shanghai, a joint venture 60 percent owned by global surgical robotics leader Intuitive Surgical and 40 percent by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group.

Since the JV was formed, installations and use of the da Vinci system in China have begun to increase steadily, Fosun Pharma Chairman Wu Yifang said, adding that this has revolutionized local surgery, benefiting nearly 100,000 patients annually.

The JV has been promoting the fourth generation of the da Vinci surgical system, which can perform complex and minimally invasive procedures. In 2020, the company piloted the system in more than 10 Chinese cities, with about 800 medics from nearly 200 hospitals getting experience of the product.

Almost 300 units have been installed in China and been used in nearly 350,000 operations so far, according to data from Intuitive Surgical, da Vinci’s developer.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the system’s use in general surgery, thoracic surgery, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, head and neck operations, and cardiac surgery.

In Shanghai trading today, Fosun Pharma [SHA: 600196] rose 0.8 percent to close at CNY43.68 (USD6.50) a share, while its Hong Kong-listed stock [HKG: 2196] fell 0.2 percent to HKD27.90 (USD3.60).

Editor: Peter Thomas