In Europe, the new Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (IVDR) that entered into force 2017 will have to be applied until 2020 and 2022, respectively. Under the old regulation, there was a large gap between evidence requirements for market approval and market access for high risk (class IIb and III) medical devices (MD). The MDR/IVDR will require appropriate clinical investigations for these MD classes. Despite the different purpose of market approval and surveillance and reimbursement decisions, there are possible synergies with regard to evidence generation, for example, design of pivotal trials and post-launch evidence generation with observational data. In the MDR, early scientific advice can be provided by expert panels of the European Commission if requested by MD developers. For medicinal products, the European network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) has established joint early dialogs (JED) of HTA agencies with the European Medicines Agency and manufacturers. A similar approach might be possible with the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG). The objective was to explore possible synergies for JED with the MDCG and EUnetHTA.

In 2018, EUnetHTA established a task force for HTA and MDR/IVDR. A workshop, which will explore possible synergies and activities on JED as well as the viewpoints of stakeholders will be held in May 2019. Participants will be Directorate-Generals GROW (Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME) and SANTE (Health and Food Safety), EUnetHTA members assessing MD, representatives of national competent authorities, Team Notified Bodies, MedTech Europe, patient representatives and academia.

A report on the presentations, the results of the discussion, and next steps in a possible collaboration will be presented.

Joint early scientific advice to manufacturers on the European level for evidence generation by HTA agencies and the MDCG has the potential to streamline evidence generation in the life cycle of high risk MD.