The FDA launched an “innovation challenge” to stimulate the development of medical devices that may provide novel solutions for pain treatment and opioid addiction.

The challenge is open to products in any stage of development and extends to developers of currently marketed devices who want to demonstrate that their device has an improved benefit-risk profile for pain management compared to opioids.

The FDA is encouraging developers to submit proposals from June 1 to September 30 and it plans to announce the winners in November. The agency will provide “enhanced interactions” to accelerate the development and review of the devices.