U Penn, FDA to shed light on medical device clinical trials

The FDA and the University of Pennsylvania have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on research to advance medical product development and the regulatory approval process.

The agency said that the main goal of the collaboration is to bridge the divide between issues that arise during basic research and clinical trials on new medical devices and drugs. The MOU will benefit the FDA by contributing a number of experts that the agency is seeking as part of its hiring initiative, according to the researchers.

The FDA said it hopes to develop similar satellite activities at other academic medical centers throughout the United States.

The MOU will include collaborations with the University of Pennsylvania extended partnerships, such as the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, which includes the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Wistar Institute and the University of Sciences in Philadelphia.

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