eCential Robotics Appoints Clément Vidal as Chief Exec

eCential Robotics has named Clément Vidal as its new CEO. He succeeds founder Stéphane Lavallée, who is moving to a non-executive board chairman role.

Vidal is an Ecole Polytechnique and Stanford University graduate with 20 years of experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industry. He was most recently chief executive of Endocontrol, another surgical robotics firm.

“Through his excellent management of key strategic development programs within eCential Robotics, Clément has proven himself to be not only an amazing leader, but a visionary with a solid understanding of the surgical robotics market,” said Lavallée. “I am most confident that Clément will succeed in taking the company to the next level, with the same passion and commitment to innovation that has always been our hallmark.”

More about eCential Robotics

The  company was founded in 2009 by a handful of engineers aiming to invent the surgical technologies of the future. The company worked with leading surgeons around the globe to create the first open, unified, modular and scalable 2D/3D imaging, navigation, and robotic guidance system for spinal surgery.

The Open eCential Platform initially rolled out in a limited fashion in Europe and has over 10 of its systems sold and installed there. The company earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its system in 2022, and said it’s gearing up to develop activities in the U.S.

Vidal said he was honored to take on the role of CEO, especially at such an exciting time for the company. In January, eCential revealed it had struck a deal with minimally invasive spine surgery product maker Spine Wave.

“The team recently demonstrated its ability to successfully partner with medtech companies, as well as commercialize our proprietary robotics system by signing a supply contract with a major healthcare group in the United States,” Vidal told the press.