SS Innovations International Inc. (NASDAQ: SSII) has appointed veteran medical technology finance executive Sarah M. Romano as chief financial officer, effective August 3, 2026, adding public-company financial and capital markets experience as the surgical robotics developer continues its global expansion and advances regulatory initiatives. Romano brings more than two decades of experience in public-company finance, capital markets, and medical technology, having raised more than $100 million during her career. She previously served as CFO at Vicarious Surgical, another developer of robotic surgical technologies, where she oversaw financial and operational initiatives designed to reduce cash burn and strengthen the company’s balance sheet.
The appointment comes at a critical time for SS Innovations, which is pursuing broader commercialization of its SSi Mantra robotic surgical platform while continuing preparations for U.S. Food and Drug Administration review (https://nnw.fm/yY4UM). The company recently graduated the inaugural class of its SS International Centre for Robotics Surgery (“SSICRS”) cardiac robotic surgery training program, welcoming 33 healthcare professionals from seven countries. This milestone underscores the company’s emphasis on surgeon education alongside technology deployment, as the success of robotic surgery systems depends heavily on trained operators.
The addition of Romano signals a focus on financial discipline and strategic capital management as SS Innovations scales operations. With more than $100 million in capital raised over her career, she is expected to help the company navigate the costly regulatory approval process and international expansion. The SSi Mantra system is designed to compete with established robotic surgery platforms, and FDA clearance would open the U.S. market, the largest for surgical robotics. Internationally, the company is already building infrastructure, with the SSICRS program training surgeons from multiple countries to use the system.
The implications for the medical device industry are significant. Robotic surgery is a rapidly growing field, and SS Innovations’ progress could increase competition, potentially lowering costs and expanding access to minimally invasive procedures. The company’s focus on training underscores a recognition that technology adoption requires skilled practitioners, and its international education efforts could accelerate global adoption. For investors, the appointment of a CFO with a track record of raising capital and improving financial health may signal a path to profitability.
As SS Innovations continues to pursue FDA review and expand its training programs, the leadership change positions the company to manage growth while maintaining financial stability. The combination of Romano’s capital markets expertise and the company’s technological advancements suggests a strategic push toward commercialization. The success of these efforts will depend on regulatory outcomes and the ability to train surgeons worldwide, but the foundation laid by the recent appointments and training programs indicates momentum in the competitive surgical robotics space.
