Fred Moll, the co-founder of the $200 billion Intuitive Surgical, is aggressively backing a new wave of surgical robotics companies. Having overseen over 3 million robotic surgeries annually through Intuitive Surgical, Moll is now funneling roughly $100 million into startups poised to disrupt the medical landscape.
The Evolution of Robotic Surgery
Moll, who left traditional medical practice decades ago, recognized early on the potential for robots to standardize surgical excellence. The core idea: reduce variability in outcomes by augmenting human surgeons with precise, consistent robotic assistance. This isn’t just about replacing doctors; it’s about making advanced care more accessible and reliable, whether in New York or rural India.
Expanding Beyond Intuitive’s Dominance
Moll’s investments span diverse applications: colonoscopies, cataract surgeries, heart valve replacements, and even complex neurosurgery. He’s betting that AI-driven surgical robots will analyze past procedures to optimize future ones, effectively learning from collective experience.
- XCath: Developed the first robotic brain aneurysm procedure performed on a human in Panama.
- Neptune Medical & Jupiter Endovascular: Focus on gastrointestinal procedures.
- ForSight Robotics: Pioneering robots for cataract surgery.
- Vitestro: Autonomous blood collection robotics.
- Capstan Medical: Developing robot-assisted mitral valve replacement.
Why This Matters
The current surgical field varies dramatically in skill. Moll’s ambition is simple: raise the baseline competency of surgeons through robotic precision. He isn’t focused on replacing top surgeons, but elevating average ones to a higher standard, particularly in procedures where expertise is scarce.
SS Innovations: Democratizing Access
One standout investment is SS Innovations International, a publicly traded Indian firm valued at $1.2 billion. SS Innovations offers surgical robots at a fraction of Intuitive’s price (around $600,000 vs. $2 million+ for da Vinci systems), making advanced surgery viable in regions where cost is prohibitive. This includes remote telesurgery, where surgeons operate on patients from hundreds of miles away—a concept Moll initially dismissed but now embraces.
The “Good Housekeeping” Seal of Approval
For startup founders, Moll’s involvement carries significant weight. His track record with Intuitive, Auris Health (acquired by J&J for over $3 billion), and Hansen Medical signals credibility. Moll isn’t just providing capital; he’s lending his decades of experience to ensure these ventures avoid the pitfalls that have doomed other robotics companies.
Avoiding “Me Too” Robots
Moll is ruthless in his investment criteria. He won’t fund companies building near-identical copies of Intuitive’s da Vinci system. The focus is on clinical advantage, not simply replicating existing technology. “Surgeons live with the da Vinci robots—if they are going to use something else, they want to know why,” Moll stated.
The Future of Surgical Robotics
Moll’s vision extends beyond precision. He sees AI playing a crucial role in analyzing surgical data to refine robotic techniques, accelerate learning, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
“My ambition is that the robot can do procedures that people struggle with…Its impact is to raise the level of capability of average surgeons to very good surgeons in procedures that not everyone is good at.”
— Dr. Fred Moll
Ultimately, this $100 million bet isn’t just about robotics; it’s about reshaping the future of healthcare by democratizing access to advanced surgical care.
