WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Medical device industry leaders, lawmakers, and government officials will gather for the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) on May 17th and 18th at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Washington, D.C.

Meeting attendees will hear from top government officials including, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Centers for Devices and Radiological Health Director, Dr. Dan Schultz, and Health and Human Services Assistance Secretary for Legislation, Vincent Ventimiglia Jr.

"MDMA's Annual Meeting provides industry executives with an educational and interactive program designed to address the critical issues facing innovative and entrepreneurial medical technology companies," said Mark Leahey, Executive Director of MDMA. "The meeting also gives industry leaders the opportunity to network with colleagues and hear from lawmakers and leading government officials."
Other confirmed government speakers include Larry Kessler, Sc.D., Director, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, CDRH, FDA; Seth Bloom, Minority Senior Counsel, Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee; Lisa R. Waters, Project Officer, Medicare Demonstrations/ Payment Policy Division, CMS; and Liz Richter, Deputy Director, Center for Medicare Management, CMS.

Expert panels comprised of senior staff from Congress, FDA, CMS, and industry will discuss challenges for medical technology progress. In addition to FDA topics and coverage and payment issues, the meeting will feature sessions covering GPO reform, gainsharing demonstrations, compliance, raising venture capitol and protecting intellectual property.

More information on the agenda, venue, accommodations and pricing can be found online at www.medicaldevices.org, or by calling MDMA at (202) 354-7172. Non-MDMA members who attend the annual meeting will receive a $200 discount on association membership, should they decide to join within a month of the meeting.

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The Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) is a national trade association based in Washington, D.C., representing innovators and entrepreneurs in the medical device industry. MDMA seeks to improve the quality of patient care by encouraging the development of new medical technology and fostering the availability of innovative products in the marketplace.

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