Last year, in my talk at the San Jose BIOMEDevice Conference, I had postulated that one of the key factors in the rate and level of adoption of AI based devices and systems would depend on how the FDA would act on such submissions. It is good to see that one company seems have to have proceeded with taking the FDA to task. The result is positive, and good news for companies pushing AI based systems, but also carries a tale of caution, for the road ahead for everyone involved. I will lay out the case briefly in this blog, but this is not the last time you will hear me talk about the effect of regulatory agency response to such device submissions and their long-term implications.

I just reviewed news that IDx, a company that designed what is being described as “an AI based autonomous diabetic retinopathy” detection system has been given “breakthrough” status by the FDA for their system. This provides the system with an expedited review, and potentially quick approval. This is very encouraging, not only for the organization with the retinopathy system, but also for all companies vending AI systems.

Here are a couple of key thoughts I have on this:

  1. A very promising outlook: I am not aware of how much Scott Gottlieb had, in terms of a personal hand in this decision, but I am sure his leadership had a measurable impact on the decision to expedite review. He has taken a stance of modernizing some of the approval processes, especially in the area of Digital Health. The FDA’s backing for AI based systems, is a very positive thing for companies with an AI focus on healthcare.
  2. Good for competition in the healthcare industry: Once the FDA sets AI based apps and systems on the path to commercialization, there will be no excuse for organizations that do not adopt Machine Learning and Neural Networks. Of course watch for a good spike in M&A activity in this regard.
  3. The Hype Cycle is around the corner: While companies with real ML/DL products and services will be out there, helping patients, there will also be the fakes and the wannabes that we will have to contend with. And it is quite possible that the rotten apples will ruin it for everyone. This is something to watch for.
  4. Unrealistic expectations and unintended consequences: I know this is closely related to the point about the hype cycle, but I want to make a refined point here. Even the companies with good AI based tools might push the envelope on hyping up the utility and efficiency of their products. Over-promise and under-delivery lead to angry and disappointed customers and eventually will create problems for everyone in the industry.
  5. How will CMS and private insurance companies handle reimbursement? This is a big question and can be the topic (and probably will be) of several blog posts. However, I just wanted to highlight that while AI might improve efficiency and automate diagnoses and treatments, companies have to resolve how and where the reimbursement will come from.
  6. A word of caution on regulation: While it is commendable that the FDA is moving forward with initiatives on things such as AI. However, I do not always agree they are doing a great job on things. I was irked by the craze with which the orphan applications were being reviewed by the FDA. The FDA, in the past, has gotten too cozy with the industry and Congress, with terrible consequences. Those who remember the Menaflex incident (reference below) remember how quickly the public’s trust in the FDA eroded, and how the organization took years to recover from that. Therefore, there is cause for concern here, and one hopes there will be a balancing act in making sure that the approval processes remain rigorous enough.

Conclusion: The current “breakthrough” designation and fast track review show great promise, but one hopes the FDA will balance it out with an equal dose of caution.

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References:

  1. The Press Release on IDx: https://www.eyediagnosis.net/single-post/2018/02/05/FDA-to-expedite-review-of-IDx-DR-a-breakthrough-AI-diagnostic-system?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3B6Bf9xSfCRQSJXa4nvXjScA%3D%3D
  2. On what happened with Menaflex: https://www.fda.gov/downloads/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/UCM183642.pdf
  3. Image, Courtesy, Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-face-child-eye-32267/