SS Innovations International (NASDAQ: SSII) has appointed veteran medical technology finance executive Sarah M. Romano as chief financial officer, effective August 3, 2026. Romano brings more than two decades of experience in public-company finance, capital markets, and medical technology, having raised over $100 million during her career. The appointment comes as the surgical robotics developer continues pursuing U.S. FDA clearance for its SSi Mantra surgical robotic system while expanding internationally.
Romano joins SS Innovations after serving 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. At SS Innovations, she will be responsible for financial strategy, capital markets activities, and supporting the company's growth trajectory as it prepares for broader commercialization of the SSi Mantra platform.
The leadership strengthening coincides with significant operational milestones. SS Innovations recently graduated the inaugural class of its SS International Centre for Robotics Surgery (SSICRS) cardiac robotic surgery training program. The program welcomed 33 healthcare professionals from seven countries, underscoring the company’s emphasis on surgeon education alongside technology deployment. By training surgeons internationally, SS Innovations is building the infrastructure needed to support adoption of its robotic system once regulatory approvals are secured.
The company is actively preparing for U.S. Food and Drug Administration review of the SSi Mantra system (https://nnw.fm/yY4UM). Gaining FDA clearance would open the massive U.S. surgical robotics market, currently dominated by Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system. SS Innovations aims to compete with a more affordable and versatile platform designed for multiple surgical specialties, including cardiac, thoracic, and gynecologic procedures.
Romano’s appointment signals that SS Innovations is positioning itself for the financial rigors of a public company pursuing regulatory approval and global expansion. Her experience in raising capital and managing financial operations at a similar-stage robotic surgery company is expected to help SS Innovations navigate the capital-intensive path to commercialization. The company has not disclosed its current cash position or burn rate, but the addition of a CFO with Romano’s background suggests a focus on financial discipline and strategic fundraising.
The global surgical robotics market is projected to grow significantly, driven by demand for minimally invasive surgery and technological advancements. SS Innovations is targeting both developed and emerging markets, with the SSi Mantra designed to be cost-effective and adaptable to different hospital settings. The successful training of international surgeons at SSICRS indicates that the company is already building a global user base even before U.S. approval.
Investors will be watching for updates on the FDA submission timeline and Romano’s initial financial strategies. The company’s newsroom (https://ibn.fm/SSII) provides ongoing updates on regulatory and business developments. Forward-looking statements in this article involve risks and uncertainties, as detailed in the company’s SEC filings, and actual results may differ materially.
