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EU draft rules on Annex VII: mandatory timelines for MDR/IVDR conformity assessment — Team-NB’s key recommendations 

In December 2025, the European Commission proposed a draft Implementing Regulation to amend Annex VII, introducing mandatory maximum timelines and defined “clock-stops” for Notified Body activities under the MDR/IVDR. The objective is clear: increase predictability, streamline processes, and support timely access to medical devices.   Team-NB—the European Association of Medical devices Notified Bodies—welcomes the intent, while cautioning that several elements may be difficult to implement without unintended consequences for quality, capacity, and cost.  Team-NB highlights four recurring risks:   More info, here. 

EU draft rules on Annex VII: mandatory timelines for MDR/IVDR conformity assessment — Team-NB’s key recommendations  Read More »

FDA Guidance: How to Prepare a Pre-Request for Designation (Pre-RFD) 

The FDA’s Office of Combination Products (OCP) has issued final guidance titled “How to Prepare a Pre-Request for Designation (Pre-RFD).”   This guidance is designed to assist manufacturers in obtaining preliminary, non-binding feedback from the FDA regarding a product’s regulatory identity (drug, device, biologic, or combination product) and the appropriate Agency Center (CDER, CDRH, or CBER) responsible for review.   Key Highlights: Why this matters for regulated product developers:  How Instituto Pedro Nunes can support your organisation: More info, here.

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MedTech Europe Advocates for a Risk-Based Approach to PMCF under the MDR 

In its latest Position Paper (October 2025), MedTech Europe urges regulators and Notified Bodies to adopt a risk-based and proportionate approach to Post-Market Clinical Follow-up (PMCF) activities for medical devices under the MDR 2017/745.  Manufacturers report growing pressure from authorities and Notified Bodies to conduct PMCF clinical investigations for nearly all devices — even long-established, low-risk technologies. MedTech Europe argues that this contradicts the MDR’s intent to align clinical evaluation with risk management and may unnecessarily strain healthcare professionals, patients, and innovation capacity.  Main concerns  MedTech Europe calls for:  A proportional PMCF system ensures safety remains verifiable — without compromising the availability of proven, safe devices.  More info: https://www.medtecheurope.org/resource-library/risk-based-approach-post-market-clinical-follow-up/  At IPN, we help manufacturers design and implement PMCF plans that are data-driven, proportional, and regulator-ready, integrating clinical evaluation, PMS, and risk management effectively. 

MedTech Europe Advocates for a Risk-Based Approach to PMCF under the MDR  Read More »

TEAM-NB Issues Updated Position Paper on IVDR Annex IX Changes to Companion Diagnostic Devices 

On October 2025, TEAM-NB published Version 2 of its Position Paper on Changes to Companion Diagnostic Devices under the IVDR 2017/746, Annex IX (5.2).  The paper provides detailed guidance to manufacturers and Notified Bodies on how to determine when a change to a Companion Diagnostic (CDx) requires prior approval and consultation with medicinal product authorities (e.g., EMA or national competent authorities).  Key insights:  This position paper enhances transparency and consistency across the conformity-assessment ecosystem, ensuring timely decision-making and continued patient safety.  At Instituto Pedro Nunes, we support CDx developers and IVD manufacturers in evaluating reportable changes, preparing technical documentation, and managing regulatory interactions with Notified Bodies and competent authorities.  Access the document here.

TEAM-NB Issues Updated Position Paper on IVDR Annex IX Changes to Companion Diagnostic Devices  Read More »

TEAM-NB & NBCG-Med: Call for Evidence on Digital Omnibus – Simplifying AI Regulation with Clarity and Sustainability 

In October 2025, TEAM-NB and NBCG-Med submitted a joint position paper to the European Commission (DG CONNECT) in response to the Call for Evidence on the Digital Omnibus — part of the Commission’s effort to simplify digital legislation, including the AI Act.  Their contribution stresses that simplification should not compromise safety, integrity, or market fairness. Instead, it should strengthen the efficiency and sustainability of the Notified Body (NB) system that underpins the CE-marking framework.  Key recommendations from TEAM-NB & NBCG-Med:  The statement further calls for uniform assessment of Notified Bodies by Competent Authorities, recognising that fragmentation weakens trust, transparency, and equal conditions in the Single Market.  At Instituto Pedro Nunes we continue to support medical device manufacturers and innovators navigating EU regulatory transitions, we echo the importance of combining simplification with quality, traceability, and sustainability in the evolving AI regulatory landscape. Read the statement here.

TEAM-NB & NBCG-Med: Call for Evidence on Digital Omnibus – Simplifying AI Regulation with Clarity and Sustainability  Read More »

FDA’s New Guidance on IVD Enforcement Policies During Declared Emergencies: A Strategic Shift for Diagnostic Developers

In September 2025, the FDA issued its guidance “Consideration of Enforcement Policies for In Vitro Diagnostic Tests During a Section 564 Declared Emergency.” What’s new? Why it matters for diagnostics and regulated quality environments? If you want to explore how this FDA guidance applies to your diagnostics business or IVD development, Instituto Pedro Nunes is here to help. Read more here.

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FDA’s New Guidance on Computer Software Assurance: A Strategic Shift for Production and Quality Systems Software

On September 24, 2025, the FDA released its final guidance “Computer Software Assurance for Production and Quality System Software.” What’s new? Why it matters for medical device and regulated quality environments? How MDRu can support your organization? If you want to understand how this new guidance can be applied to your business, MDRu is ready to help. Access the doc here.

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New MDCG Draft Guideline on Trend Reporting – What Manufacturers Need to Know

The Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) has released a new draft guidance document (MDCG 2025-X) clarifying the requirements for trend reporting under the EU Regulations on Medical Devices (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Devices (IVDR). Trend reporting is a cornerstone of post-market surveillance (PMS) and requires manufacturers to monitor and report any statistically significant increase in non-serious incidents, expected undesirable side effects, or expected erroneous results. These findings can impact the benefit-risk analysis and ultimately patient safety. Why this matters for manufacturers: 📖 Read the draft guidance here.

New MDCG Draft Guideline on Trend Reporting – What Manufacturers Need to Know Read More »

Team-NB – Guidance for Submission of Technical Documentation of IVDs – V2

The newly reviewed Team-NB Best Practice Guidance for Submission of  Technical Documentation under IVDR (Sept 2025) provides clarity on technical documentation requirements according to the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation – IVDR (EU 2017/746). This guidance supports manufacturers in preparing technical documentation under Annexes II and III, helping to: 🔍 What’s New in Version 2? At Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN), we help companies align their submissions with best practices—strengthening compliance and reducing approval risks. 🔗 Read the official document

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