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New FDA-backed initiative seeks to boost diversity in medtech

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MedTech Color LogoMedTech Color has launched a Collaborative Community on Diversity and Inclusion in Medical Device Product Development and Clinical Research.

The MedTech Color Collaborative Community aims to bring together public and private stakeholders and develop targeted strategies to up the awareness, understanding and participation of racial and ethnic minorities within the medtech industry, according to a news release.

“The FDA is committed to advancing diverse participation in trials to ensure that clinical studies better reflect the populations that will ultimately benefit from new and innovative health solutions,” director of the FDA’s Center for Devices & Radiological Health (CDRH) Dr. Jeff Shuren said in the release. “We are encouraged by MedTech Color’s active efforts to develop solutions to increase participant diversity and inclusion of minority health populations. We are also pleased to have FDA liaisons from CDRH and the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity participate in this collaborative community.”

The stated goals of the MedTech Color Collaborative Community include increasing clinical trial enrollment participation to represent diverse populations — and creating awareness of different disease states, prevalence rates in people of color and symptom recognition among minority populations.

Additionally, the collaborative community will recruit and retain minority physicians, researchers and other stakeholders in research and product development while identifying unmet needs and advancing research on health issues that are unique to minority populations.

The executive planning committee for the community includes MedTech Color board members Nada Hanafi (chief strategy officer, Experien Group) and Vernessa Pollard (partner and FDA practice leader, McDermott Will & Emery). Edwards VP of global clinical affairs Jaime Wheeler and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical deputy general counsel Kenita Barrow join Hanafi and Pollard on the committee.

“We created this community to bring together the passion, resources, and experience of organizations and individuals affected by the lack of diversity within the medtech space,” Hanafi said. “We’re looking forward to expanding our incredible group of dedicated professionals in all aspects of the industry – from clinicians, device and biotech companies, patient representatives, academic partners, legal professionals, nonprofits, government agencies, etc. and more.”

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