Johnson & Johnson's Surgery Robot Clears FDA Hurdle Amid Record Stock Highs
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has cleared its biggest MedTech milestone in years after receiving De Novo authorization for OTTAVA, a table-integrated soft-tissue surgical system. The FDA approval on July 22, 2026 granted J&J's ambition to build a surgery robot, a field dominated by Intuitive Surgical for over 20 years.
The stock has already risen about 29% in 2026 and reached an all-time high of $273.41 on August 19, but its Street mean target barely clears the current price of around $270. The approval marks a significant step forward for J&J's robotics division, with a deep pipeline behind it.
OTTAVA features a unique design, with four arms that fold into a standard operating table, reducing the system's footprint by 30% to 50%. This compact size allows surgeons to perform procedures in rooms as small as 243 square feet, making it an attractive option for hospitals with limited space.