Livsmed(491000) said on the 7th that it applied to the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety for item approval of the next-generation surgical robot platform "Stark (STARK™)."
Stark is a domestically developed surgical robot that Livsmed created based on its proprietary core technology. It is a product that expands the technology of the flagship multi-joint surgical instrument "ArtiSential (ArtiSential™)" into a robot platform, and ArtiSential has been used in a cumulative 300,000 or so surgeries in clinical settings in Korea and abroad.
Stark features a multi-joint end tool (End Tool·forceps) that moves up to 90 degrees vertically and horizontally, and a compact robotic arm system. This improved the maneuverability and accessibility of instruments during surgery.
Stark combines two units, each with two robotic arms mounted on one cart, for a total of two carts and four robotic arms. It reduced the size by more than half compared with existing surgical robots to improve use of operating room space, and it was designed to allow free movement in height, approach angle, and direction changes. Multi-joint technology that moves up to 90 degrees vertically and horizontally was also applied to the surgical instruments inserted into the body, and the robotic arms were designed with a modular structure to accommodate various surgical environments.
Livsmed plans to build a business portfolio spanning from surgical instruments to surgical robots through Stark. The company has independently developed minimally invasive surgical products with its own technology, including ArtiSential; the vascular sealing device "ArtiSeal (ArtiSeal™)"; the surgical stapler "ArtiStapler (ArtiStapler™)"; and the laparoscopic camera system "LivsCam (LivsCAM™)."
If Stark is approved, the company will expand its lineup of domestically approved products to include surgical robots, following laparoscopic surgical instruments and premium surgical instruments.
It has also secured patent competitiveness. Livsmed holds a total of 736 patents, of which 452 are overseas patents, accounting for 61.4%. In particular, patents related to Stark have already surpassed those for the flagship ArtiSential.
It is also publicizing Stark's technological capabilities in the global market. After unveiling Stark for the first time in Korea in May, Livsmed introduced the product in an official session of the Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS 2026). Leading global medical professionals participated directly as presenters to introduce Stark's technical features and preclinical study results.
Livsmed is focusing the company's full capabilities this year on Stark's development and approval. It is actively responding to the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety review with the goal of obtaining item approval within the year.
Chief Executive Lee Jeong-ju said, "Livsmed has steadily turned into reality the philosophy that technology becomes innovation only when everyone can benefit from it," adding, "Stark will take on the challenge of rewriting the standards for surgical robots with outstanding features and reasonable prices."