In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Medtech Insight, Mark Leahey, president of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, said the previous four Medical Device User Fee negotiations with the FDA have set a strong foundation for the industry and the next round of negotiations should focus on tweaking past deals that are already in place.

Following closely on the heels of a medical device tax repeal win, AdvaMed CEO Scott Whitaker sat down to discuss how the industry advocacy group ended the Obamacare excise tax and what it has in store for 2020.

With fewer than a hundred days left before the EU Medical Device Regulations kick in, Medtech Insight’s executive editor Ashley Yeo and managing editor Amanda Maxwell discuss in this week's podcast growing concerns by medtech industry members that they may not be ready in time to comply with the regulations and may inadvertently run afoul of them.

A top clinical research expert says the medical device industry is lagging behind the pharmaceutical industry when it comes to engaging patients. While industry groups are pushing for more patient preference be factored in in regulatory decisions, John Lewis of patient advocacy group Heart Valve Voice says medtech companies themselves are not investing enough in this area.

The US Department of Health and Human Services is asking Congress for $10m in its latest budget request specifically to advance the use of artificial intelligence to regulate FDA products and promote development of AI technology. The ask aligns with President Trump’s vision for government agencies to help make the US a leader in AI and machine learning products.

Two top trade experts tell Medtech Insight that China’s recent decision to reduce tariffs is in response to the US government’s announcement that it, too, would reduce tariffs in an apparent bid to deescalate the seemingly never-ending trade war. Dropping tariffs will also help China meet its obligations under a so-called Phase 1 trade deal agreed to by the two countries.