Olympus-Backed Swan EndoSurgical Names Stryker Veteran Erik Todd as CEO

Swan EndoSurgical, a robotic surgery startup backed by Olympus and Revival Healthcare Capital, has appointed Erik Todd as its new Chief Executive Officer. Todd brings over 25 years of experience from Stryker, where he most recently served as the general manager of robotics and enabling technologies.

Strategic Appointment to Drive GI Robotics Innovation

The appointment of Todd marks a significant step for Swan EndoSurgical, which was founded in July 2025 with a focus on developing advanced robotic systems for gastrointestinal (GI) treatments. Olympus President and CEO Bob White emphasized the importance of this move, stating, "The appointment of Erik to Swan EndoSurgical as the CEO marks a pivotal step in advancing our shared vision for endoluminal robotics."

Todd's extensive background in scaling robotic platforms and leading global engineering teams is expected to be crucial for Swan's development of an endoluminal robot. This innovative system aims to deploy flexible arms within the GI tract to treat lesions and tumors, potentially making endoscopic procedures safer and more effective while reducing recovery times.

Substantial Investment and Future Prospects

The formation of Swan EndoSurgical represents a significant investment in the field of minimally invasive GI treatments. Olympus and Revival Healthcare Capital have committed to invest up to $458 million combined, with an initial investment of $65 million already in place.

Justin Ballotta, managing director at Revival Healthcare Capital, expressed confidence in Todd's leadership, citing his "proven track record of scaling sophisticated robotics platforms from concept through commercialization." This strategic appointment aligns with Swan's ambitious goals in the competitive medical robotics market.

Olympus's Strategic Position and Future Options

As part of the agreement, Olympus maintains a significant equity stake in Swan EndoSurgical and will provide core visualization and GI endoscopy technology. The Japanese multinational also holds an option to acquire Swan at a predetermined value, subject to the startup meeting certain milestones.

This arrangement allows Olympus to potentially strengthen its position in the growing field of robotic-assisted surgery, while Revival Healthcare Capital retains majority control for now. The partnership structure provides flexibility for both parties as Swan EndoSurgical progresses in its development of next-generation GI interventional technologies.