Johnson & Johnson Introduces MONARCH™ Platform to the Middle East

The launch of the first robotically-assisted bronchoscopy platform in the market offers new options for diagnosis and treatment of early-stage lung cancer

First cases also mark the first clinical use of MONARCH™ QUEST AI-enabled navigation in the region

New Brunswick, N.J., July 28, 2026 – Johnson & Johnson today announced the first robotically-assisted bronchoscopy case in the Middle East using the MONARCH™ Platform. The procedure, which took place at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, marks the introduction of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to the region. In another first for the Middle East region, the case also featured MONARCH™ QUEST, the latest advancement in MONARCH navigation technology, with AI-powered algorithms designed to improve user experience, and integrate with a wide range of mobile and fixed advanced imaging systems.^1-3

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, in part because it is often diagnosed at a late stage when treatment options are limited.⁴ The ability to reach and biopsy lung nodules at an earlier stage with tools like the MONARCH Platform is a leap forward in interventional care for patients. If diagnosed at an early stage of lung cancer, up to 90% of people survive at least 5 years; if diagnosed at a late stage 5-year survival can be less than 10%.⁵

“As the company that pioneered the first robotic bronchoscopy platform, we are proud to be bringing this technology to clinicians in a new region of the world,” said Aleksandra Popovic, President, MONARCH, MedTech, Johnson & Johnson. “We are committed to advancing the standard of care in lung cancer by increasing access to meaningful innovation that helps improve outcomes for patients around the world.”

Robotically-assisted bronchoscopy and the MONARCH™ Platform

Robotically-assisted bronchoscopy with the MONARCH™ Platform enables minimally invasive access to and visualization of airways to help clinicians biopsy suspicious lung nodules. Nearly half of early-stage lesions are located in the periphery of the lung, which is difficult to reach with traditional bronchoscopy.⁶ The MONARCH™ Platform can aid clinicians in getting to an early, definitive diagnosis in lung cancer cases, which can help care teams get patients into the treatment pathway faster.

Dr. Zaid Zoumot*, Interventional Pulmonologist and Division Chair, Pulmonary Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said, “Robotically-assisted bronchoscopy represents a breakthrough in how we detect and diagnose lung disease. With this technology, we can reach small lesions⁷* in all segments of the lung⁸, which creates the opportunity to accelerate treatment decisions.”

Leveraging the power of AI for bronchoscopy

MONARCH™ QUEST builds on the platform’s stable reach and precision with its unique scope-in-sheath design and continuous vision for the physician. The software also integrates enhanced navigation in the MONARCH™ Platform with intraprocedural 3D imaging data with the potential to improve accuracy in targeting lung nodules. The digital capabilities in the MONARCH™ Platform now extend from preoperative planning through intraoperative AI-enabled navigation.

The MONARCH™ Platform will be a part of the Polyphonic™ digital ecosystem, which will connect data across world-class surgical technologies, robotics, and surgical software while leveraging the global scale of Johnson & Johnson.

Indications for Use (United States)

The MONARCH™ Bronchoscope and the MONARCH™ Platform and its accessories are intended to provide bronchoscopic visualization of and access to patient airways for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Important Safety Information

Complications from bronchoscopy may include breathing difficulty, vocal cord spasm, hoarseness, slight fever, vomiting, dizziness, bronchial spasm, infection, low blood oxygen, bleeding from biopsied site, or an allergic reaction to medications. More serious complications from bronchoscopy may include collapsed lung, respiratory failure, hemorrhage, burns, heart attack, or cardiac arrhythmia.

About Surgical Solutions from Johnson & Johnson MedTech   

Across Johnson & Johnson, we are tackling the world’s most complex and pervasive health challenges. For over 100 years, we have helped advance surgical care through our innovative portfolio across wound closure, adjunctive hemostats, surgical stapling and instruments, robotics and digital solutions. Together, with clinicians and healthcare experts around the world we are progressing what’s next in surgery to better solve patient needs in metabolic and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and aesthetics and reconstruction. For more, visit https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/product-family/monarch.

About Johnson & Johnson   

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more about our MedTech sector’s global scale and deep expertise in cardiovascular, orthopaedics, surgery and vision solutions at https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US. Follow us at @JNJMedTech and on LinkedIn. Ethicon, Inc. is a Johnson & Johnson company.  

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding MONARCH QUEST software. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Auris Health, Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; uncertainty of commercial success for new products; the ability of the company to successfully execute strategic plans; impact of business combinations and divestitures; challenges to patents; changes in behavior and spending patterns or financial distress of purchasers of health care products and services; and global health care reforms and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in Johnson & Johnson’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com, www.investor.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

Media Contact:

Lindsey Diaz-MacInnis

ldiazmac@its.jnj.com