A dispute has erupted in the Indian medical technology market, casting a shadow over the prestigious “Make in India” program. SS Innovations (SSI), a pioneer in Indian surgical robotics, has accused its competitor, Meril Life Sciences, of misleading the public. According to SSI, Meril’s latest surgical robot, promoted as a domestic product, is actually manufactured in… China. Its only connection to India is the packaging it is placed in after being imported from the Middle Kingdom.
SS Innovations created the SSi Mantra – a fully Indian surgical robotics system launched in 2022. It is a symbol of national technological success and has since been installed in over 125 locations worldwide, with more than 6,000 successful surgeries performed using it.
Meanwhile, the Mizzo Endo 4000 is a new robot introduced by Meril Life Sciences (through its subsidiary, Merai Newage), advertised as a “Made in India” product and the next great success of local engineering. Due to suspicions of manipulation and the unclear origin of Meril Life Sciences’ robots, SS Innovations has filed an official complaint with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) of India. SSI alleges that the Mizzo Endo 4000 robot is, in fact, the Chinese KANGDUO 2000 system, which is imported into India and has nothing to do with local manufacturing. The accusations thus concern the violation of fair competition rules and the abuse of the “Make in India” initiative.
According to SSI, these actions are not only a stain on the company’s image but could also “mislead hospitals, patients, and even government stakeholders.” The company is demanding an investigation into Meril Life Sciences’ manufacturing facilities and, if the allegations are confirmed, the suspension or revocation of its license to produce medical equipment.
In response, Meril Life Sciences categorically denies all accusations. The company admits that – like other manufacturers worldwide – it sources some components from abroad. However, it emphasizes that key stages such as design, development, and the final production of the robot take place in India.
For now, it is unclear how this dispute will end, but it is certain that neither side will give up the fight. The surgical robotics market is a very lucrative and rapidly growing business. India’s surgical robotics market is projected to grow from $851 million in 2023 to nearly $4 billion by 2031.