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  • Medical Devices

    • The Biden Admin Announces Expansion of COVID Testing with New Funding – “Living in a Material World”March 17th, 2021

      On February 17th, 2021 the Biden Administration announced an expansion of the Federal strategy to test the population for SARS-CoV-2 with a three pronged approach: Expand COVID-19 testing for schools and underserved populations ($650 Million); Ramp up the domestic manufacturing of testing supplies and raw materials ($815 …

    • FDA Warns Against Use of Registration Certificates: It Don’t Mean A ThingMarch 5th, 2021

      It’s not just drug companies that push the limit on marketing their products – see our posts about recent OPDP warning letters.  Medical device companies are fighting for any edge to differentiate their products too.  Even before COVID-19 brought an onslaught of new players to …

    • Area of Interest Funding – “There’s Always Money in the Banana Stand”March 3rd, 2021

      If you tuned in to FDA’s weekly Virtual Town Hall Meeting on February 10th, 2021 you would have seen a short presentation by Toby Lowe (CDRH/OHT-7) describing a recent funding announcement from HHS OASH, Office of Assistant Secretary for Health, and the DoD. This “Area …

    • Beware EUA Deprioritization!February 25th, 2021

      As the end of the COVID pandemic appears into view, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) appears to be taking steps toward shedding at least part of its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) caseload. Under Section 564(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, …

    • ACI’s 36th FDA Boot Camp (Virtual Conference)February 9th, 2021

      The American Conference Institute’s (“ACI’s”) popular “FDA Boot Camp” – now in its 36th iteration – is scheduled to take place from March 24-25, 2021 (Eastern Time).  The conference is billed as the premier event to provide folks with a roadmap to navigate the difficult …

    • FDLI Publishes New Book on IVD Regulation Co-Edited by HP&M’s Jeffrey Gibbs and Allyson MullenJanuary 28th, 2021

      While receiving less public attention than some other types of health care products, in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) have for years been playing an increasingly important role in health care.  The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted what has long been the case: IVDs are indispensable to public …

    • FDA Continues Discussion of AI/ML Software Medical DevicesJanuary 21st, 2021

      On January 12, 2021, FDA issued an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-Based Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) Action Plan (“AI/ML Action Plan”) and a discussion paper on their Proposed Regulatory Framework for Modification to Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) – Based Software as a Medical Device …

    • FDA Finalizes Guidance on Obtaining Agency Feedback on Combination Products; Highlights Best Practices for Meeting and Communicating with FDADecember 14th, 2020

      On December 4, 2020, FDA finalized the guidance document, Requesting FDA Feedback on Combination Products (Guidance), which was issued to fulfill the requirement under Section 3038 of the Cures Act.  As a reminder, Section 3038 contained several provisions to help facilitate FDA engagement and appropriate …

    • FDA Law Alert – December 2020December 4th, 2020

      To close out 2020, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. is pleased to present the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter highlighting key postings from our nationally acclaimed FDA Law Blog.  Please subscribe to the FDA Law Blog to receive contemporaneous posts on regulatory and enforcement …

    • OIG Fires Another Warning Shot at Drug and Device Companies’ In-Person Speaker ProgramsNovember 19th, 2020

      On Monday, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Special Fraud Alert highlighting “some of the inherent fraud and abuse risks” associated with in-person speaker programs, a widely used channel to educate physicians and …

    • The Potential Life Sciences Implications of the ElectionOctober 30th, 2020

      We have a free Election-eve presentation for you to download!  On October 28th, 2020, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. Director Jeffrey K. Shapiro presented a webinar, titled “The Potential Life Sciences Implications of the Election.”  Mr. Shapiro explored the role politics plays at FDA and …

    • The Potential Life Sciences Implications of the ElectionOctober 22nd, 2020

      The medtech industry has significantly changed during the Trump administration’s last four years. FDA processes are streamlined, the medical device excise tax repealed, and the Senate is in the process of confirming a third Supreme Court nominee. The industry also rapidly responded to the unprecedented …

    • FDA (Again) Proposes A Rule to Clarify The “Intended Use” RegulationOctober 19th, 2020

      A determination of “intended use” is fundamental to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of drugs and medical devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).  It is a primary basis for determining if an article is regulated by FDA, and …

    • FDA Launches Digital Health Center of ExcellenceSeptember 25th, 2020

      On September 22, FDA announced the creation of a Digital Health Center of Excellence (DHCoE), which has grown out of their existing Digital Health Program.  The objectives of the DHCoE include connecting and building partnerships, sharing knowledge and innovating regulatory approaches related to digital health.  …

    • FDA Pre-Cert Program Update – Good Progress but Full Launch Not Yet in SightSeptember 18th, 2020

      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, here, and here).  On September 14, 2020, FDA updated the Digital Health Software …