Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights AI‑Driven Growth in Eli Lilly, Medtronic, Intuitive Surgical, Regeneron & Johnson & Johnson

Zacks Investment Research published its latest *Analyst Blog* spotlighting five major medical and healthcare stocks that are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to fuel growth and innovation in 2026. The featured companies are **Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY)**, **Medtronic plc (MDT)**, **Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISRG)**, **Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (REGN)**, and **Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)** — all seen as strong candidates for investors seeking both defensive stability and potential growth. Eli Lilly is a leader in high‑growth therapeutic areas like cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology, and immunology. Its blockbuster GLP‑1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound continue to drive sales, while new treatments such as orforglipron (an oral GLP‑1 obesity pill) are expected to launch. The company also partners with AI pioneers like OpenAI and is building a powerful AI supercomputer to accelerate drug discovery. Medtronic is integrating AI into surgical systems and diagnostic tools to improve patient outcomes and operational workflows. Its GI Genius endoscopy module, for example, uses AI to help detect colorectal polyps more accurately. Intuitive Surgical continues incorporating AI and digital tools into its robotic platforms, enhancing surgical performance insights and expanding telecollaboration capabilities. Regeneron leverages AI and machine learning in drug target discovery, clinical trial optimization, and precision medicine, with partnerships developing NLP tools to analyze health data. Johnson & Johnson’s MedTech division has developed AI‑enabled surgical robotics and digital ecosystems that connect operating rooms and assist in procedure planning and analytics. #HealthcareAI #StockMarketNews #EliLilly #MedTechInnovation #SlimScan #GrowthStocks #CANSLIM