Medtronic Touts AI, Robotics and Ablation Growth at Wells Fargo Conference

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) executives said the medical device maker is seeing accelerating growth across major franchises and emerging product categories, supported by innovation in artificial intelligence, robotics and new therapies.

Speaking at the Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Geoff Martha said medical technology is benefiting from innovations that can improve outcomes while potentially lowering costs and expanding patient access. He described AI and robotics as “force multipliers” that enable the company to diagnose conditions earlier and personalize treatment at scale.

Martha said Medtronic’s AI applications are centered on structured physiological, device and procedure data rather than broad large-language-model applications. He pointed to GI Genius, the company’s AI-supported colonoscopy technology, as an example. In the U.S., he said the technology is becoming a standard of care after clinical trials found that 25% to 50% of polyps could be missed even at leading centers. He also cited its use in India, where less-experienced physicians were able to achieve diagnostic results comparable to those in the U.S.

Limited ACA Exposure, China Stabilization

Addressing concerns around healthcare policy changes, Martha said Medtronic has limited exposure to Affordable Care Act-related programs. He said the company’s procedure mix is largely acute rather than elective, with approximately two-thirds of its payer mix tied to Medicare, 25% to commercial insurance and less than 10% to Medicaid. ACA-related programs account for less than 1% of Medtronic’s global revenue, he said.

In China, Chief Financial Officer Thierry Piéton said Medtronic’s revenue exposure has fallen to between 5% and 6% following volume-based procurement, or VBP, changes. However, he said the company believes the impact of VBP is now largely behind it and that China has returned to a more normal operating environment. Martha said Medtronic remains committed to the country, which he characterized as a profitable growth market as the government expands access to higher-end healthcare.

First-Quarter Growth and Franchise Performance

Piéton said Medtronic reported first-quarter growth of 13.7% including an extra week in the period, or about 7% after adjusting for that extra week. He said the company’s large established franchises are growing faster than in prior periods, while several newer businesses could provide additional expansion.

• Cardiac rhythm management: Revenue rose 15% including the extra week, or about 9% on an adjusted basis, driven by EV-ICD, conduction system pacing and leadless pacemaker technology, according to Piéton.
• Spine: Piéton said the Stealth AXiS platform has helped Medtronic offer navigation, visualization and robotic-assistance tools alongside implants, supporting customer retention and pricing.
• Surgical: The surgical business performed well, including acute care and monitoring, he said.
• High-growth opportunities: Piéton identified cardiac ablation, Symplicity renal denervation for hypertension, Altaviva for urinary incontinence and Hugo surgical robotics as four potentially multibillion-dollar opportunities.

Martha said Medtronic has effectively doubled its investment in innovation in recent years when both internal research and development and external investments, including venture investments and acquisitions, are considered. He said the company’s growth is diversified by geography, business line and a mix of organic and inorganic investment.

Cardiac Ablation and Robotics Expansion

Cardiac ablation was a notable driver, with Martha describing the business as exceeding the company’s earlier expectation of reaching $2 billion in sales. Piéton said the market is growing at a mid-teens rate, or around 15%, and Medtronic expects to grow at more than 2.5 times the market rate for the full fiscal year. He said the company grew its capital-equipment installed base by 40% in the fourth quarter and by 35% sequentially in the first quarter, which should support future catheter demand.

Medtronic’s Sphere-9 catheter is currently a major contributor to ablation growth, Piéton said. The company has launched Sphere-360 in Europe and is conducting U.S. clinical trials. Martha said the company recently completed enrollment in the Sphere-360 trial, which includes a 12-month follow-up before submission.

On surgical robotics, Martha discussed Medtronic’s $700 million investment and distribution agreement with Cornerstone, which provides rights to the Sentire surgical robot in 50 countries outside the U.S. He said the deal broadens Medtronic’s offering in international markets, where hospitals and health systems may seek alternatives tailored to local needs and pricing.

Martha said Hugo, Medtronic’s surgical robotics platform, is focused on developed markets. The company expects to surpass 50,000 cumulative procedures and reach approximately 250 cumulative installed systems globally by year-end. Piéton said Hugo is already contributing to surgical-business growth, though the company did not provide specific revenue figures. Martha said Hugo has reached 99% uptime in the U.S. following software updates and refinements during its controlled launch.

Pipeline, Portfolio and Investor Day

Martha said Medtronic sees renal denervation as a future billion-dollar product opportunity. He said the company is working to expand payer coverage and referral pathways for its hypertension therapy after a national U.S. coverage decision. He also said Medtronic plans more direct-to-consumer marketing in selected cities beginning in the fall.

Medtronic continues to evaluate tuck-in acquisitions, Piéton said, noting that the company has announced approximately $2.7 billion to $2.8 billion in deals over the last 12 months, compared with roughly $400 million to $500 million annually in the preceding six or seven years. He said the company intends to balance acquisition-related dilution with overhead leverage and improved gross margins.

The company also reiterated its intention to separate its MiniMed diabetes business. Piéton said Medtronic’s guidance assumes MiniMed remains consolidated for the full fiscal year, and that the ultimate earnings-per-share impact of a separation would depend on timing. He said MiniMed’s business performance has improved, but the intent to separate the business has not changed.

Medtronic plans to provide additional details on its growth outlook, new drivers and long-term financial framework at an Investor Day in December in Charlotte, North Carolina. Martha said the event will include demonstrations of the company’s robotics and digital technology ecosystems as well as physician perspectives.

About Medtronic (NYSE:MDT)

Medtronic plc is a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells devices and therapies used to diagnose and treat a broad range of medical conditions. Its products are designed for hospitals, physicians and patients across areas including cardiac care, diabetes, neurological disorders, spinal conditions and surgical procedures.

The company’s portfolio includes pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac ablation systems, heart valves, neurostimulation systems, implantable pumps, spinal implants and surgical technologies.