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In this first part of our series in collaboration with Covington, Wayne chats with Amy Leiser, Special Counsel at Covington; Scott Danzis, Partner at Covington; and Susan Van Meter, President of the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA). Together, they discuss the history of laboratory developed test (LDT) regulation; ACLA engagement with FDA and Congress on potential diagnostics reform legislation; FDA's subsequent LDT regulation and ACLA's  decision to initiate litigation; current issues facing laboratories and in vitro diagnostics manufacturers; how the rise of AI is impacting diagnostics; the potential for Congress to reengage on diagnostics regulation moving forward; and much more. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Mike Ryan, Executive Vice President at ELIQUENT and former FDA staffer at CDRH, and Michael Gaba, Food and Drug Vice Chair at Polsinelli. You'll hear their thoughts on where the relationship between FDA and the device industry stands right now; factors that influence how reviewers assess risk, credibility, and readiness during submission reviews; the role of the TPLC approach at CDRH; FDA's elimination of the requirement that RWE submissions include identifiable patient-level information; practical changes sponsors can make to improve regulatory outcomes, without increasing time or cost; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne highlights these major developments:  Pharma: FDA outlines new "more flexible" approach to CMC requirements for cell and gene therapies Devices: FDA publishes two final guidance documents clarifying wearable and AI-enabled device oversight Food: FDA Commissioner Makary chats about new food pyramid on NPR's All Things Considered Cosmetics: U.S. Rep. Randy Weber introduces PACK Act In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Rumi Young, Director of Regulatory Policy at Novo Nordisk, and Jamie Gamerman, Head of Regulatory Policy at UCB. You'll hear their thoughts on how FDA policy is developed and is evolving; how previous PDUFAs have changed the agency's policy agenda and how those commitments translate into guidance development; the most important scientific or technical inflection points driving FDA policy right now; what drives the development of new agency frameworks or programs; how companies internalize new FDA policies where disconnects may exist; FDA's efforts to balance scientific integrity with regulatory flexibility in policy development for issues such as rare diseases; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne highlights these major developments:  Pharma: FDA awards two more vouchers under Commissioner's National Priority Voucher pilot program Pharma and Devices: FDA updates approach to incorporating RWE into drug and medical device application reviews Food: Consumer advocate coalition urges top health officials to take action to protect infant formula safety amid ongoing Clostridium botulinum outbreak Cosmetics: FDA finds data insufficient to determine safety of most PFAS in cosmetics In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with the following guests in their respective fields of expertise: Pharma: Paul Kim, Principal, Kendall Square Policy Strategies LLC Devices: John Sawyer, President, Realistic Quality Solutions, LLC Food: Stuart Pape, Senior Partner and Food and Drug Chair, Polsinelli Cosmetics: Angela Diesch, Partner and Head of the Cosmetics Industry Group at PLG (Potomac Law) Each guest dives into the top FDA developments from 2025 in their respective areas, as well as the top developments to watch for in 2026. This episode and all bonus episodes do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Dr. Ritu Nalubola, Director of Life Sciences and Healthtech at Marwood Group and former FDA leader, spanning several roles over more than two decades. Together, they discuss how deregulation has been playing out at FDA; industry incentive programs, such as the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher program and PreCheck program; how agency efforts to streamline regulation could affect product safety; how tariffs and MFN impact FDA and industry; the agency's role in regulating AI and supporting AI applications; broader initiatives on health data and governance; Ritu's thoughts on where things may be headed in 2026; and much more. This episode and all bonus episodes do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this fourth and final part of our series in collaboration with Hyman, Phelps & McNamara (HPM), Wayne chats with Michelle Butler, Director at HPM; Charles Raver, Associate at HPM; and Josephine Torrente, Director at HPM. Together, they discuss potential avenues to resolve a disagreement informally; how the formal dispute resolution (FDR) process works; why companies would engage in the FDR process and what constitutes a win; common misconceptions about the FDR process; what changes may be coming to the FDR process; and much more. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Rachel Raphael, Partner at Morgan Lewis, and Ronie Schmelz,  Partner at K&L Gates. You'll hear their thoughts on what's happening at FDA in cosmetics and personal care products; how companies should navigate ingredient concerns amid federal inaction, aggressive state laws, and stricter foreign regimes; the state of regulation surrounding labeling and advertising and promotion; what industry should be keeping an eye on heading into 2026; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: Tensions reported between FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Pharma: From the Guardian, finding CDER Director replacement left FDA in state of "turmoil" and "tensions" Devices: From the Economic Times, European medical device manufacturers feeling U.S. tariff squeeze Food: RFK Jr. calls for greater food allergy research at Food Allergy Fund Leadership Forum In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Sarah Sorscher, Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and Sarah Gallo, Senior Vice President of Product Policy and Federal Affairs at the Consumer Brands Association. You'll hear their thoughts on the current state of foods at FDA, concerns related to the agency's budget, impacts of the government shutdown on FDA and the Human Foods program, how federal regulation might affect state regulation, changes to the GRAS process and post-market review, how industry is adapting to evolving guidance on ultraprocessed foods, and much more. Read Sarah Sorscher's statement and article on the Marshall bill. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments:  FDA returns to work following historic government shutdown Pharma: Richard Pazdur named new CDER director FDA announces next round of priority review vouchers Devices: MD+DI analysis shows slowdown in device regulatory review process Food: From ProPublica, FDA foreign food safety inspections hit historic low Cosmetics:  Neutrogena recalls potentially contaminated makeup wipes In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this third part of our series in collaboration with Hyman, Phelps & McNamara (HPM), Wayne chats with Sara Koblitz, Director at HPM; Kurt Karst, Director at HPM; and Karin Hessler, General Counsel at the Association for Accessible Medicines. Together, they discuss the biggest hurdles that the generic industry needs to overcome in today's regulatory environment; the effect of pressure on industry to continue lowering drug prices; how the Hatch-Waxman Act has played out over the past 40 years; how the act can be used to address drug shortages; incentives for companies to develop follow-on products to avoid shortages; how tariffs are impacting generic drug manufacturing overseas; and much more. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this second part of our series in collaboration with Hyman, Phelps & McNamara (HPM), Wayne chats with John Claud, Counsel at HPM; Peter Dickos, Counsel at HPM; and Andrew Hull, Director at HPM. Together, they discuss the current enforcement environment at FDA; foreign inspections of pharmaceuticals and how companies should respond to 483s; False Claims Act theories for liability, specifically in areas such as cybersecurity, tariffs, DEI compliance, and CID/subpoena responses; key considerations in determining whether to enter into a consent decree with the agency; trends in enforcement discretion; and much more. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Sandra Cohen Kalter, member of the Strategic Advisory Group for iTolerance and a retired legal regulatory attorney from industry, and Steve Silverman, President of the consultancy The Silverman Group. You'll hear their thoughts on how CDRH has been affected over the past year, whether the center has the resources and cross-agency collaboration it needs to fulfill its regulatory mandate, FDA's capacity to support innovation amid review pressure and staffing cuts, how companies can find reliable up-to-date regulatory information that's not available through FDA communications avenues, FDA's ability to monitor safety and performance throughout a device's life cycle, and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments:  Pharma: From STAT, biotech leaders say FDA uncertainty threatens drug development Devices: FDA alerts healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers to complications with radiofrequency microneedling devices Food: FDA remains busy with food recalls, this time for cinnamon and eggs Cosmetics: Personal Care Insights spotlights growing wave in cosmetics: human-derived ingredients In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Cartier Esham, CEO of Esham Strategies and Executive Director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA, and Elizabeth Jungman, Partner at Hogan Lovells in the firm's Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology practice. You'll hear their thoughts on FDA's maintenance of its drug review process amid staffing cuts; the agency's new PreCheck program and how it may proceed; FDA's evolving stance on confirmatory evidence and accelerated approvals and how they could reshape how companies approach clinical trial designs or risk disclosures; agency budgets; ramped-up AI use at the agency and in industry; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: Pharma: Former CBER Director Dr. Peter Marks joins Eli Lilly Devices: FDA seeks public input on how best to measure and evaluate AI-enabled medical devices Food: FDA continues to investigate Listeria and Salmonella outbreaks across U.S. Cosmetics: Jury awards $966 million to family of deceased California woman, finding that Johnson & Johnson's talc-based baby powder contributed to mesothelioma In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this first part of our series in collaboration with Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. (HPM), Wayne chats with James Valentine, Director at HPM; Frank Sasinowski, Director at HPM; Louise Himmelstrup, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Zevra Therapeutics; and Kate McCurdy, Co-Founder and Board Chair of the Barth Syndrome Foundation. Together, they discuss the current status of orphan drug approvals at FDA; why confirmatory evidence is particularly important in rare disease development programs, how confirmatory evidence is being and has been applied, and how confirmatory evidence is evolving; new ways in which sponsors and FDA are engaging with accelerated approvals through greater use of intermediate clinical endpoints; ultra-rare disease pathways, including FDA's new Rare Disease Evidence Principles, and why diseases like Barth syndrome and Niemann-Pick disease type C face such challenges with the agency; and much more. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Meredith Petillo, Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at the Independent Beauty Association. You'll hear her thoughts on recent FDA warning letters to sunscreen brands; the mention of sunscreens in the new MAHA report; "foodification" risks in beauty and the personal care products space; how companies can prepare for potentially increased agency focus on non-traditional product formats; OMUFA, how it could impact innovation and competition in the OTC space, and its effect on small businesses; and much more. Check out IBA's Cosmetics Convergence Fall 2025: Indie Beauty Compliance Edition, a two-day virtual conference happening Nov. 12–13, for further updates and practical guidance on beauty and personal care industry compliance. FDA Watch listeners get 10% off registration with discount code IBAFDA10. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: HHS issues new MAHA report President Trump signs executive order regarding DTC advertising; FDA Commissioner Makary sends letters to pharma companies saying new rules and stricter enforcement coming Pharma and Devices: OMB releases Spring 2025 regulatory agenda Food: FDA launches new Nationalized Entry Review program Cosmetics: EU bans gel nail polishes that continue to be sold in U.S. In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.   

Wayne chats with Claudia Lewis, Co-Chair of the FDA Group at Venable, and Ricardo Carvajal, Director at Hyman, Phelps & McNamara. You'll hear their thoughts on FDA's focus and direction on ultraprocessed foods; GRAS regulation and former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler's citizen petition; potential agency updates to food nutrition labeling; inspections and food safety; FDA's use of AI in food decision-making; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: Pharma: Substantial publicity surrounds firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez Devices: FDA launces Regulatory Accelerator for digital health devices Food: HHS and Secretary Kennedy to issue second MAHA report Cosmetics: FDA issues warning letters to sunscreen companies making mousse products In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at [email protected].  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.