FDA Launches Innovation Initiative 4055

Originally Published MX July/August 2006

BUSINESS NEWS

Citing the need to keep pace with medtech's rapidly advancing product design and development technologies, manufacturing processes, and information systems, FDA recently introduced a new Medical Device Innovation Initiative, which is intended "to make new medical devices available more quickly for patients."

Commenting on the initiative, Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD, acting FDA commissioner, said, "By working with industry early in the evaluation process, we hope to foster development and speed up the approval of safe and effective innovative devices."

"Some people look at the initiative and say, 'This is nothing new. These are ongoing projects.' I agree. But this puts it all together in a nice package," said Daniel Schultz, MD, director of FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), at the annual meeting of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association.

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