UK robotics start-up CMR Surgical eyes Hong Kong as a launch pad for its Asia-Pacific expansion

The company showcased its Versius surgical robotic system at the Prince of Wales Hospital in April, helping doctors perform keyhole surgeries

The global surgical robots market, at US$3.57 billion this year, is seen growing at a compounded rate of 21.6 per cent annually through 2028

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CMR Surgical’s Versius robotic system allows doctors to perform a range of keyhole surgeries. Photo: Handout

Published: 4:05pm, 1 Aug 2021Updated: 8:29pm, 1 Aug 2021

CMR Surgical, a US$3 billion UK start-up backed by investors including SoftBank and Tencent Holdings, is keen to establish a presence in Hong Kong as it looks to expand into mainland China and the Asia-Pacific for its surgical robotic system.

The medical technology company’s Versius system provides surgeons with multiple robotic arms to perform a wide range of keyhole, or minimally invasive, operations.

The company was targeting local surgeons in Hong Kong, an important market which will serve as a launch pad to bring its surgical robotic system to the region, Per Vegard Nerseth, chief executive of the Cambridge-based firm, said in an interview.

“Our vision is to build an intimate and long-term customer relationship with local surgeons, which means in Hong Kong we have decided to go direct to this audience,” he added. “In time we will expand our Hong Kong team to include sales, marketing, professional education and technical support as well as clinical teams to support systems and growth.”

Per Vegard Nerseth, CEO of CMR Surgical. Photo: Handout

The size of the global surgical robots market was valued at US$2.3 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach US$3.57 billion in 2021, according to a report from Grand View Research in May. The market is also expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 21.6 per cent from 2021 to 2028.