Today’s blog post illustrates how a company’s problems can escalate rapidly from an administrative warning letter to the full weight of the criminal system. The unfortunate subject is ACell, a manufacturer of medical devices derived from porcine urinary bladder material. ACell received a Warning Letter …
FDA recently announced new changes it is making to the Medical Device Reporting (MDR) program as part of its ongoing efforts to increase transparency on device performance, and detection of device-related safety concerns. FDA is formally discontinuing the Alternative Summary Reporting (ASR) Program, which permitted certain …
FDA’s Software Pre-Certification (Pre-Cert) Program is intended to create a new streamlined regulatory process for software as a medical device (SaMD) (see our earlier blog posts on the program here, here, here, and here). In January of this year, FDA released version 1.0 of Developing …
On April 26, 2019, CDRH released the final guidance, Recommended Content and Format of Non-Clinical Bench Performance Testing Information in Premarket Submissions (“Final Guidance”). We previously blogged on the draft version (“Draft Guidance”) here. Overall, the Final Guidance is much the same as the Draft …
An Implanted Brain Computer Interface (BCI) device may sound like something out of science fiction, but FDA apparently believes these devices are on their way to becoming a reality. FDA recently released a draft guidance document that provides recommendations on how to gain approval to …
On February 5, 2019, FDA issued the guidance document The Least Burdensome Provisions: Concept and Principles (Final Guidance). This version supersedes the prior version in place since October 2002. FDA published a draft of the guidance (Draft Guidance) in December 2017, which we blogged on …
On January 7, 2019, FDA released new documents related to its Software Pre-Certification (Pre-Cert) Program: Developing a Software Precertification Program: A Working Model (Working Model) Software Precertification Program: Regulatory Framework for Conducting the Pilot Program within Current Authorities (Regulatory Framework) Software Precertification Program: 2019 Test Plan (Test Plan) In …
In light of recent criticism of FDA’s oversight of medical devices, it is curious why FDA did not release a report touting the success of its enforcement activities with the same fanfare as its report on its plan to modernize the 510(k) program, which we reported …
Earlier this year, FDA quietly made changes to their 510(k) clearance letters related to combination products cleared via the 510(k) pathway. The letters now include the following language (new text in bold italics): Although this letter refers to your product as a device, please be aware …
On October 18, FDA issued a new draft guidance document, Content of Premarket Submissions for Management of Cybersecurity in Medical Devices (“Draft Guidance”). When final, it will supersede the 2014 guidance document of the same name (“Current Guidance”). The guidance comes shortly after release of …
On September 25, 2018, FDA issued a final guidance document: Benefit-Risk Factors to Consider When Determining Substantial Equivalence in Premarket Notifications (510(k)) with Different Technological Characteristics (“guidance”). A draft of the guidance was issued on July 25, 2014. When reviewing device 510(k)s, FDA’s review of …
On September 28, 2018 FDA issued a new draft guidance document: The Special 510(k) Program (“draft guidance”). The draft guidance was followed by the announcement on October 1, 2018 of a Special 510(k) Pilot Program. The Special 510(k) program was established in 1998 to create a …
On September 6, 2018, FDA launched the Quality in 510(k) Review Program Pilot (“Quik”). With the name “Quik,” it has a lot to live up to. The goal of the program is to simplify the 510(k) process by providing an alternate method of preparing a …
On April 27, 2018 FDA released a draft guidance describing the regulatory approach and policy for multiple function device products. The draft guidance, Multiple Function Device Products: Policy and Considerations, is available here and has been issued in response to the 21st Century Cures Act section …
On November 16, 2017, FDA released four guidance documents that, together, the Agency described as a “comprehensive policy framework” for applying existing laws and regulations governing regenerative medicine products, including human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (“HCT/Ps”). The policy framework is set forth …
