Max Institute of Laparoscopic, Robotic, Bariatric Surgery & GI Surgery has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intuitive Surgical, the global pioneer in robotic-assisted surgery, aiming to bring advanced minimally invasive care to more patients across India.

 

The collaboration will focus on enhancing surgeon capabilities, developing structured training pathways, and promoting the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery in both routine and complex procedures.

 

The MoU was signed by Dr Pradeep Chowbey, world-renowned robotic surgeon and Group Chairman of Max Institute, alongside David J Rosa, CEO of Intuitive Surgical, and Rohitt Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager of Intuitive India.

 

Dr Chowbey emphasized the shift from selective use of robotic-assisted surgery in complex cases to wider, systematic adoption in everyday operations. 

 

Drawing on over four decades of experience in minimally invasive and robotic procedures, he said, "The true success of robotic-assisted surgery lies in its potential for scale. For any innovation in medical technology to truly make a difference in patient lives, it must move beyond selective adoption in limited settings and become an integral part of everyday surgical practice. With the right training infrastructure and safety standards in place, robotic-assisted platforms such as da Vinci can contribute meaningfully to the safety and efficiency of even routine procedures.”

 

The partnership will combine Intuitive’s global expertise with Max Institute’s clinical leadership to set structured outcome benchmarks for both common and complex surgeries. By doing so, it aims to improve precision, standardization, and efficiency across procedures, ultimately ensuring more consistent patient outcomes and wider access to robotic-assisted surgery.

 

Commenting on the initiative, Rohitt Mahajan said, “At Intuitive, patient outcomes are central to everything we do. We remain focused on advancing minimally invasive care through structured training, responsible adoption, and close clinical collaboration. This MoU with the Max Institute of Laparoscopic, Robotic, Bariatric Surgery & GI Surgery, led by Dr Pradeep Chowbey, reflects a shared commitment to expanding robotic-assisted surgery in general surgery supporting surgical teams to reduce variability in outcomes by delivering consistent, high-quality care across both complex and more commonly performed procedures.”

 

The MoU also formalizes collaboration in clinical research, with Max surgeons participating in Intuitive-led studies and Intuitive supporting Max-led research through study design, analytics, and publication. Plans include establishing a Centre of Excellence to build clinical and economic evidence for robotic-assisted surgery, helping hospitals make informed decisions and, over time, influencing insurance frameworks to reduce financial barriers and expand patient access.