Launching Shoulder Robots to the World - Nnamdi Njoku - President Zimmer Biomet

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The medtech space, particularly surgical robotics, is a rapidly changing industry with immense potential for professionals in various roles. In Season 3, Episode 1 of The Surgibots Podcast, I spoke with Nnamdi Njoku, a seasoned leader in the medtech space, about his journey through the industry and his thoughts on the future of surgical robotics. Nnamdi shared his unique perspective on moving into the medtech world, leading robotics initiatives, and the importance of integrating technology with patient care. Here's what he had to say about his experience in the field and the future of surgical innovation:

What was your first experience with surgical robotics, and how did you get involved?

 “My first experience in robotics was with Medtronic, particularly when I got asked to help move forward the strategy we called at the time ‘Surgical Synergy,’ which was really all about trying to figure out what enabling technologies would do to improve spine surgery. At that time, I didn’t know much about robotics, but what I did know was that we were trying to shape a strategy around these enabling technologies and see how they could be used to make spine surgeries more precise and efficient.

I started by asking a lot of questions and learning from the experts in the field. I was tasked with crystallizing the strategy for robotics in spine surgery, working out what M&A transaction needed to happen, and determining what robotic platform would fit best into our company’s strategy. It was exciting to see how robotics could be integrated with our technologies, and that early experience showed me just how much potential robotics has in this space. The decisions we made back then have continued to pay dividends for the company, and it’s amazing to see how far the field has come since those early days.”

What excited you about joining Zimmer Biomet?

“When I first considered joining Zimmer Biomet, a couple of things stood out to me. First, I was really impressed by the company’s long-standing history—they’ve been around for almost 100 years, which is pretty incredible. They have this mission-centric focus that has driven their success, and that really resonated with me. Given where I was coming from at Medtronic, I was looking for a company that had a clear purpose and mission, and Zimmer Biomet absolutely fit that bill.

What also caught my attention was where the company was at that point in time and where it could go in the future. They had already gone through a tough period of integrating Zimmer and Biomet, and they were looking toward the future with a strong focus on innovation. They weren’t just resting on their laurels—they were actively thinking about what it would mean to develop new technologies and lead the market. That vision of transformation, combined with the strong leadership and talented team, made it an exciting place to be. I knew I wanted to be part of that journey.”

How do you ensure a successful rollout of new robotic technologies?

“Rolling out new technologies, especially something as complex as robotics, requires a very intentional approach. You have to be very deliberate about where you place the technology. It’s important to make sure you’re putting it in locations where it’s going to get used, where there’s strong surgeon engagement, and where you have the ability to service it effectively. If you place a system somewhere and it’s not getting used or if you don’t have the resources to support it, you’re not going to get the kind of feedback and insights you need to make improvements.

Training is a critical part of this. It’s not just about giving a surgeon the technology and expecting them to be an expert right away. You need to provide ongoing training and support, especially in those first few cases. It’s a process of learning and adaptation, and you need to be there every step of the way to ensure success. Ultimately, it’s about setting the right expectations and being clear about where you are in the launch cycle. You have to have the right metrics in place and be constantly assessing how things are going so that you can make adjustments as needed.”

What does the future of surgical robotics look like, particularly in orthopedics?

 “I think we’re going to see a lot of exciting developments in the future of surgical robotics, especially in orthopedics. One of the biggest trends I see is the miniaturization of these robotic platforms. Right now, some of the systems are quite large, which is fine in a hospital setting, but as more surgeries move into ASCs [Ambulatory Surgery Centers], there’s a real need for smaller, more efficient systems that can fit into those environments.

I’m also really excited about advancements in tissue sensing. Imagine a robotic system that can adapt based on the type of tissue it’s interacting with. That’s a huge step forward in terms of precision and personalization, and I think we’re going to see more of that in the coming years. AI is another area with enormous potential. We’re already capturing a lot of data during surgeries, and as we get better at analyzing that data, I think we’ll be able to use AI to improve surgical outcomes and even predict potential complications before they happen.

And then, there’s the possibility of remote surgical approaches. As someone who comes from the African continent, I think a lot about how remote surgery could increase access to specialized care in parts of the world where there aren’t enough surgeons. You could have a surgeon in one country supporting or even performing a surgery in another, which could dramatically improve access to care. The future is incredibly exciting, and I think we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible.”