Medtronic to Invest up to $80M in Pi-Cardia; $700M in Cornerstone Robotics

Medtronic has revealed both an investment in Pi-Cardia and strategic partnership in Cornerstone Robotics.

Pi-Cardia is a Rehovot, Israel-based pioneer in leaflet modification technologies for structural heart disease. Cornerstone Robotics is a Hong Kong-based surgical robotics company that developed its Sentire surgical system in-house.

Pi-Cardia investment

Medtronic is investing up to $80 million and plans to become the exclusive global distributor of Pi-Cardia’s ShortCut device in 2027. Medtronic also gained the option to acquire Pi-Cardia should certain milestones be reached, for an estimated acquisition price of $210 million.

The ShortCut device is billed as the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared leaflet modification technology for valve-in-valve TAVR patients at risk of coronary obstruction. It offers a safe, reproducible approach to leaflet splitting that can preserve coronary access and support future transcatheter valve procedures. In FDA-reviewed clinical studies, ShortCut successfully split leaflets in all pivotal trial patients and demonstrated a favorable safety profile.

The company was founded by Erez Golan and Eyal Kolka, and is backed by medtech investors including Sofinnova Partners, Sprig Equity, and Jacques Séguin.

“As structural heart care evolves, we’re investing in technologies that help physicians address today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Jorie Soskin, VP and GM of Medtronic’s Structural Heart business. “Our investment in Pi-Cardia reflects our commitment to building a portfolio of technologies that will shape the future of TAVR, particularly for patients with complex anatomy. We believe leaflet modification technologies like ShortCut have the potential to become an important component of structural heart care and the future of TAVR as transcatheter therapies continue to advance.”

“Our mission has been to make leaflet modification a standard part of complex TAVR,” added Pi-Cardia CEO Golan. “Medtronic is the right partner to help us achieve this vision given their global reach and commitment to bringing innovative tools to physicians and patients worldwide. We are confident this collaboration will accelerate adoption of ShortCut while continuing to advance the future of leaflet modification.”

Cornerstone Robotics partnership

Medtronic will invest about $700 million to gain the rights to distribute Cornerstone’s Sentire surgical robotic system in select markets outside the U.S. where it’s approved. Medtronic will distribute Sentire alongside its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system to expand access to robotic-assisted surgery.

The Sentire system features an immersive, dual-console design that accommodates different surgeon preferences and clinical needs. Developed in-house, the system has completed multi-specialty clinical trials and received CE mark in May 2026 for minimally invasive general, gynecologic, thoracic, and urologic procedures, following approvals in China and Singapore.

The partnership combines Medtronic’s Hugo RAS system with Cornerstone Robotics’ Sentire platform to expand Medtronic’s multi-port robotic surgery portfolio across clinical and economic settings. Hugo RAS is now used in more than 35 countries across six continents, including the U.S., where it received FDA clearance within the past year. Hugo procedure volume is growing at more than twice the rate of the robotic surgery market, with global procedures expected to surpass 50,000 by the end of Medtronic’s fiscal year.

“Our strategy is focused on driving the next generation of minimally invasive surgery, one of our biggest growth opportunities,” said Matt Anderson, Medtronic’s senior VP and president, Surgical. “Surgeons, health systems and markets have varying needs and preferences, which is why we are investing across robotic platforms, digital tools and platform-enhancing technologies. With Sentire complementing the Hugo RAS system, Medtronic will be the only company offering this two-platform portfolio combined with our surgical ecosystem—giving customers more access, more choice, and flexible solutions that fit their clinical and operational needs.”

“Since the founding of Cornerstone Robotics, we have been steadfast in our commitment to innovation, excellence and clinical value,” added Samuel Au, Cornerstone’s founder and CEO. “We are confident physicians and patients alike will be the greatest beneficiaries of this partnership as we continue to expand access across this dynamic market.”