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Intuitive Surgical’s Lead in Robotic Surgery Faces New Tests as Shares Fall

The sell-off signals worry about new rivals despite high switching costs.

Overview

  • Intuitive remains the market leader, with more than 12,100 da Vinci systems installed worldwide.
  • The stock is down more than 17% this year as investors factor in growing competition in robotic surgery.
  • Revenue rose 19% in the latest quarter and procedures grew 17%, which fuels repeat sales of instruments and service.
  • Restore Robotics won FDA clearance for four tools compatible with da Vinci, while Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic are expanding their own systems.
  • To hold its edge, Intuitive is pushing leases and usage-based pricing, the new da Vinci 5 with far greater computing power and 150 design changes, and its My Intuitive analytics app.