Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology, and IRCAD North America, the new North American headquarters of globally recognized surgical education, innovation, and research institute, IRCAD, today announced a strategic collaboration.

As a strategic partner, Medtronic will integrate its technologies at IRCAD North America, a non-profit subsidiary of Atrium Health, to build world-class training and education experiences for surgeons and medical professionals in cardiovascular, neuroscience, and minimally invasive surgical specialties.

“We are revolutionizing the future of healthcare and our collaboration with IRCAD North America is a significant step forward in achieving this goal,” said Mike Marinaro, executive vice president and president of the Medtronic Medical Surgical Portfolio and Americas. “This partnership will leverage innovation to accelerate medical training and support advancements in patient care to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life.”

Opening in September as part of the The Pearl innovation district in Charlotte, North Carolina, IRCAD North America will be the first-of-its-kind education and training destination in the U.S. Expected to draw thousands of surgeons and specialists annually, it will enable medical professionals to work with and train on Medtronic technologies across procedure settings. Medtronic Medical Education teams will spearhead course development for trainings hosted at IRCAD North America that feature Medtronic products.

“At The Pearl innovation district, we're redefining what is possible for the future of surgery and patient care - and we're proud to welcome Medtronic as a partner in that mission,” said Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health. “We’re launching a world-class hub of surgical training and research right here in Charlotte, but the benefit of partnerships like this one will be felt – literally – by patients receiving next-generation care across our national footprint and even across the globe.”

“Through our partnership with Medtronic, we’re unlocking new possibilities to accelerate surgical innovation and translational research at IRCAD North America,” said Dionisios Vrochides, MD, executive director of IRCAD North America and professor of transplant surgery at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. “By integrating Medtronic’s cutting-edge surgical technologies with our focus on hands-on learning, medical robotics, and AI, we’re positioned to dramatically enhance training, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of surgical care.”

Medtronic technologies that will be available at IRCAD North America include the Hugo™ robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system,^† the AiBLE™ smart ecosystem, the Touch Surgery™ ecosystem, and the Affera™ mapping system.

“This partnership paves the way for a new era in surgical education and training. It will foster collaboration across the industry, drive progress in healthcare delivery, and accelerate the integration of AI-enabled solutions into clinical practice,” said Ken Washington, Medtronic chief technology & innovation officer.

†In the U.S., the Hugo™ RAS system is an investigational device and is not available for sale.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow on LinkedIn.

About IRCAD North America

IRCAD North America is a state-of-the-art surgical training and research center in Charlotte, NC dedicated to advancing minimally invasive and robotic surgery. As the newest branch of the globally renowned IRCAD network, we bring world-class expertise, innovative technology, and hands-on training to surgeons and healthcare professionals across the world. Our strategic collaborations with leading industry partners, institutions, and professional societies drive meaningful advancements in healthcare, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.  We will shape the future of surgery.

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, IRCAD North America empowers local, national, and international investigators to perform and excel in rapid cycle research and development, minimizing the time medical innovation takes to move from bench to bedside. Patient outcomes will improve worldwide as our attendees take their experiences back to their home institutions. To learn more, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

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Kira Jastive
Public Relations
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Ryan Weispfenning
Investor Relations
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