FDA, University to Bridge Divide Between Research and Trials

The FDA and the University of Pennsylvania have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on research that will advance medical product development and the regulatory approval process. 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 the agency is seeking as part of its hiring initiative. The FDA said it hopes to develop similar satellite activities at other academic medical centers throughout the U.S.