Johnson & Johnson has introduced robotically-assisted bronchoscopy in the Middle East, expanding access to advanced technology for the diagnosis and treatment of early-stage lung cancer.
The first procedure using the MONARCH Platform was performed at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, marking the platform’s debut in the region.
The case also marked the first clinical use of MONARCH QUEST, an AI-enabled navigation system designed to improve the accuracy of robotic bronchoscopy, in the region.
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, largely because it is often diagnosed at a late stage when treatment options are limited.
According to Johnson & Johnson, patients diagnosed with lung cancer at an early stage have a five-year survival rate of up to 90%, while survival falls to less than 10% when the disease is detected at a late stage.
Robotically-assisted bronchoscopy using the MONARCH Platform provides clinicians with a minimally invasive way to access and visualize the airways, making it easier to biopsy suspicious lung nodules. Nearly half of early-stage lung lesions are located in the periphery of the lung, where conventional bronchoscopy often has limited reach. By improving access to these difficult-to-reach areas, the MONARCH Platform can support earlier and more accurate diagnosis of lung cancer, enabling patients to begin appropriate treatment sooner.
“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,” he added.
Dr. Zaid Zoumot, Interventional Pulmonologist and Division Chair, Pulmonary Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said the technology has the potential to transform lung disease diagnosis.
“Robotically-assisted bronchoscopy represents a breakthrough in how we detect and diagnose lung disease. With this technology, we can reach small lesions in all segments of the lung,which creates the opportunity to accelerate treatment decisions,” he said.
MONARCH QUEST is the latest enhancement to the platform’s navigation technology and incorporates AI-powered algorithms to improve user experience. It is compatible with a wide range of fixed and mobile imaging systems and integrates real-time 3D imaging with navigation to help clinicians target lung nodules more precisely.
