Medtronic has doubled the size of its London office space and increased the site’s headcount to more than 200 to accelerate innovation in robotic surgery and AI-based product development.
Located in London’s Old Street ‘Silicon Roundabout’, Medtronic said the retooled 25,000ft² Centre of Digital Excellence underlines the company’s ambition to drive research and development in software for robotic-assisted surgery in the UK and globally.
According to Medtronic, the site brings together some of the UK’s leading medical software engineers.
George Murgatroyd, vice-president and general manager of digital technologies within Medtronic’s surgical business, commented: “Our investment reflects the significant talent and innovation here in the UK, including in AI, and is a statement of intent to transform healthcare outcomes for surgeons and patients worldwide.”
Forming the centrepiece of a multi-million investment in the UK over five years, Medtronic said the London site renovation builds on its existing commitments to the domestic market, including local partnerships in the research and design of robotic-assisted surgery capabilities.
Earlier this month, Medtronic announced an expansion to its existing partnership with Manchester, UK’s University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) that will focus on co-developing robotic surgery and AI-related initiatives.
In 2023, Medtronic partnered with London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital, making it the first NHS Trust to adopt the company’s Hugo Robotic-assisted Surgery (RAS) system.
Hugo gained a European CE mark in 2021, with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval pending. Medtronic has previously said it expects to obtain US market clearance by the end of 2025.
Medtronic also has a presence at London Imperial College, University College London Hospitals, and King’s College London, where the largest AI-based gastroenterology trial in the country is currently underway, utilising Medtronic’s GI Genius intelligent endoscopy module.
More broadly, the expanded site resonates with the UK Labour Government’s 10-year plan for the UK National Health Service (NHS), which, among other goals, outlines aims to transition from an analogue to a more digital health service.
The double-down in London by Medtronic will be welcome news to the UK life sciences scene, as it comes at a time when UK big pharma companies are increasingly looking elsewhere for R&D activities. GSK and AstraZeneca have outlined billion-dollar plans to bolster drug manufacturing in the US, a major blow to the UK life sciences sector. US big pharma MSD meanwhile called off a £1bn expansion at its R&D centre in London earlier this month.
