MDR / reglementaire

EU MDR & Combination Devices:What Every MedTech Team Must Know

Chems Hachani, CEO of Eclevar MedTech, sits down with Dr. Fatima Sanfourche to break down the regulatory complexities of combination devices under EU MDR.

MDR / reglementaire
EU MDR & Combination Devices:What Every MedTech Team Must Know
WHAT THIS PAGE COVERS
1
Don't let your combination device fail the MDR transition.
2
The Regulatory Challenges No One Talks About
3
Key Takeaways
4
Listen to the Full Series
European CRO for medical devices, aligned with Regulation (EU) 2017/745.
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3 Episodes • 25 min total

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Don't let your combination device fail the MDR transition.

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The Regulatory Challenges No One Talks About

Combination devices are becoming unavoidable in MedTech. But under EU MDR, they're also one of the most misunderstood regulatory topics. This 3-episode series covers everything from definitions and clinical evidence hurdles to real-world evidence strategies.

Whether you're planning a new submission, managing a legacy device transition, or exploring how RWE fits into your MDR strategy, this podcast gives you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

Key Takeaways

Combination devices are going to be the future.

You need to find this data somehow.

Surveys need to be clear and well-designed.

  • Combination devices can be classified as medical devices with ancillary drugs or as pharmaceutical products
  • Combined studies face hurdles due to separate processes for drug and device components
  • Legacy devices must gather their own clinical data to transition to MDR compliance
  • Real-world evidence must be structured correctly to be accepted by regulatory bodies
  • Surveys provide supportive data but cannot replace clinical evidence
  • Surveys provide supportive data but cannot replace clinical evidence from trials
  • The future of combination devices lies in integrating digital health and AI technologies

Listen to the Full Series

Episode 1 • 00:00 - 09:48

EU MDR + Combination Devices: Most Teams Get the Definition Wrong (And Pay for It Later)

Combination devices are becoming unavoidable in MedTech, but under EU MDR, they're also becoming one of the most misunderstood regulatory topics. Chems Hachani sits down with Dr. Fatima Sanfourche to clarify what a "combination device" actually is, the main categories regulators look at, and why MDR expectations are ri

EU MDR + Combination Devices: Most Teams Get the Definition Wrong (And Pay for It Later)

The Hardest Part of MDR for Combination Products: Clinical Evidence That Doesn't Fit the Process

Combination products often require evidence that spans two worlds, device and drug, but the regulatory processes don't always move together. That gap is where timelines slip and costs explode. Chems Hachani and Dr. Fatima Sanfourche break down the real hurdles behind combined studies, what makes clinical planning so complex, and what legacy devices must do to transition to MDR compliance. If you're relying on "historical use" without a clear data plan, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar.

Episode 3 • 22:20 - 24:50

Real-World Evidence and Surveys Under MDR: Useful, Yes, But Only If You Do This Right

Real-world evidence can strengthen an MDR strategy, but only when it's structured in a way regulators can trust. And surveys can support your clinical story, but they cannot replace clinical evidence from trials. Chems Hachani and Dr. Fatima Sanfourche explain when RWE is credible, why retrospective data quality is a recurring issue, and what "clear, well-designed surveys" actually means in practice. If you're planning to use RWE or user feedback to support compliance, this short episode can save you a lot of rework.

Chems Hachani

CEO & Founder, Eclevar MedTech

Over 10 years of experience in medtech, pharma, and CRO. Expert in autonomous clinical trials and regulatory strategy under EU MDR. Leading Eclevar MedTech's mission to transform how medical device clinical investigations are designed and executed.

Dr. Fatima Sanfourche

Scientific Board Member, Eclevar MedTech

Regulatory affairs and clinical development expert with deep expertise in combination devices, EU MDR compliance, and pharmaceutical-device interface. Bringing critical insights on how manufacturers can navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.

Clinical Trials Done Right,The First Time

Regulatory-grade evidence, delivered at CRO speed. Don't let combination device complexity slow down your MDR strategy.

Clinical Trials Done Right,The First Time
Expertise and recognition

A European team of former notified body reviewers

The people who build your evidence have sat on the other side of the table.

EUCROF Platinum Award 2026
EUCROF Platinum Award 2026xShare Open Call for Clinical Research, co-funded by the European Union
Dr Mark Da CostaDr Mark Da CostaChief Medical OfficerTÜV SÜD
Dr Nikhil KhadabadiDr Nikhil KhadabadiHead of Clinical EvidenceEU MDR
Pierre-Marie BoutanquoiPierre-Marie BoutanquoiDirector of Clinical OperationsISO 14155
Official content

Our content, signed Eclevar.

Whitepapers and publications produced by our teams with our notified body partners.

Whitepaper by BSI and Eclevar on the EU MDR
Whitepaper · BSI × Eclevar

A BSI and Eclevar whitepaper on the EU MDR.

Written with Notified Body BSI: a practical reading of the clinical evidence expectations under EU MDR 2017/745, the same evidence your file has to support.

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