Devices that do not meet the criteria for the Breakthrough Devices Program may have a new option under the Safer Technologies Program for Medical Devices (STeP). Read our previous post on the the Breakthrough Devices Program here: FDA Breakthrough Devices Program Draft Guidance. SteP is a voluntary program for certain medical devices that are “reasonably...Read More

From late 2015 to 2016, FDA and NCATS/ORDR at NIH conducted a needs assessment to better understand unmet medical device needs for rare diseases; generate meaningful data to inform patients, practitioners, policymakers, and device developers on the needs, barriers, and incentives related to medical device development for rare diseases; and increase public awareness of these...Read More

The FDA published a draft guidance, “Breakthrough Devices Program Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff,” on October 25, 2017. The full guidance is at the link provided. This supersedes the Expedited Access Pathway (EAP) introduced in 2015 and the Priority Review Program. The Breakthrough Devices Program is a voluntary program for...Read More