Meril, a prominent Indian medical device company, has launched its innovative surgical robotic system, MISSO, set to revolutionize knee replacement surgeries in India. Developed entirely in India, MISSO is designed to enhance surgical precision and reduce the dependency on costly imported robotic technologies.
By slashing costs by approximately 66%, MISSO aims to make advanced surgical procedures more accessible and affordable across India. Meril plans to sell 100 robots in the first year and about 1,000 in three years. The MISSO robot costs Rs 2 crore, which is much cheaper than other robotic systems in India. MISSO’s introduction comes at a time when the demand for knee replacements is surging due to a high prevalence of osteoarthritis among the Indian population.
With around 550,000 people undergoing knee replacement annually—a number that is projected to rise—MISSO’s deployment could significantly bridge the gap between the need for and the availability of advanced surgical interventions. Manish Deshmukh, Head of Marketing at Meril, highlighted the system’s potential to democratize the availability of robotic surgeries, especially in non-metropolitan areas, by offering an affordable, locally supported option.
Manish Deshmukh, Meril’s head of marketing, said there are currently about 200 knee replacement robots in Indian hospitals. The new MISSO robot will help hospitals reduce surgery costs by 40-60%. The cost for each surgery using MISSO is Rs 25,000, compared to Rs 35,000 with other robots.
The launch of MISSO reflects India’s capabilities in developing high-end medical technologies. The system aligns with the country’s push towards achieving a more self-reliant healthcare sector. MISSO is currently approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India, with plans for future approvals from international bodies such as the CE in Europe and the US FDA. This development marks a significant step towards positioning India as a leader in the global medical technology market, particularly in the field of robotic-assisted surgeries.
