AI Robotics in Medicine

Healthcare technology is expanding rapidly, from China’s record drug approvals and global licensing deals to a projected fourfold increase in the medical robotics market by 2035.

The central tension is whether supporting capabilities—AI discovery, trial leadership, regulation, reimbursement, and clinician training—can keep pace with commercialization and adoption.

Tracking: Medicine Robotics · AI Medicine · AI Healthcare

1. China’s Innovative-Drug Sector Sets Approval Record and Expands Global Partnerships

China’s innovative-drug sector recorded 76 new-drug approvals in 2025, up 58.3% year on year, according to data attributed to the National Medical Products Administration.

Domestic products represented more than 80% of chemical drugs and over 90% of biologics, while outbound licensing reached $135.7 billion across 157 transactions.

The article describes a shift from selling early discoveries cheaply to sharing development, costs and profits with multinational partners.

Chinese companies accounted for eight of the ten largest global pharma deals in the first half of 2026, while their active pipeline reached 4,751 programs, or 33.7% of global R&D; its First-in-Class share rose from 4% a decade earlier to 24%.

The report also identifies shortages in AI-powered drug discovery and leadership for global multicenter trials.

Key facts:

- China approved 76 new drugs in 2025, 58.3% more than the previous year.

- Outbound licensing totaled $135.7 billion across 157 transactions in 2025.

- Chinese companies accounted for eight of the ten largest global pharma deals in early 2026.

- China’s active drug pipeline reached 4,751 programs, 33.7% of global R&D.

- China’s First-in-Class share rose from 4% a decade ago to 24%.

Why it matters: The reported figures suggest Chinese drugmakers are gaining leverage beyond early-stage discovery.

Co-development deals let companies such as Hengrui and Innovent share development costs, profits and global responsibilities with multinational partners, rather than transferring promising assets before their value is realized.

The constraint is increasingly specialized talent. Shortages spanning biology, medicine, AI-powered discovery and global clinical-trial management could limit how quickly the sector converts a large pipeline into approved products and durable partnerships.

The next indicator is whether Chinese firms can sustain high-value co-development while building those capabilities.

Global Times

2. SNS Insider Forecasts Medical Robotics Market Reaching $102.75 Billion

SNS Insider forecasts the global medical robotics market will grow from $23.50 billion in 2025 to $102.75 billion by 2035, a 16.19% compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2035.

The report links expansion to minimally invasive procedures, chronic disease demand, healthcare automation, and advances in artificial intelligence, imaging, and machine learning.

Surgical systems are expected to remain the largest segment, while rehabilitation robots are projected to grow fastest as aging populations increase demand for neurological and musculoskeletal therapy.

Hospitals and clinics currently lead adoption, but ambulatory surgery centers are forecast to expand more quickly as outpatient care grows and smaller robotic platforms become available; regulatory clearance, reimbursement, and clinician training remain important conditions for wider use.

Key facts:

- SNS Insider values the global medical robotics market at $23.50 billion in 2025.

- The study projects $102.75 billion by 2035, implying a 16.19% CAGR through 2035.

- Surgical robotic systems are expected to represent about 44% of 2025 revenue.

- Rehabilitation robotics is forecast to grow fastest, at an 18.31% CAGR.

- Ambulatory surgery centers are projected to grow at an 18.70% CAGR.

Why it matters: The forecast points to a broader robotics market than surgery alone.

AI-enabled systems are being positioned for surgical planning, real-time guidance, imaging, rehabilitation monitoring, pharmacy logistics, transport, and disinfection, potentially shifting repetitive work away from clinical staff while expanding demand for specialized training.

The main adoption test will be whether providers can justify high-value platforms beyond major hospitals.

Growth in ambulatory surgery centers suggests a move toward smaller, outpatient-compatible systems, while reimbursement, regulatory clearance, surgeon education, and simulation will influence how quickly projected demand becomes routine care.

Sns Insider