Dec 3, 2012 1 min read

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration says it will collaborate with medical device manufacturers on a public-private partnership designed to speed up the development of new medical technology.

The agency says it hopes to offer guidance to the Medical Device Innovation Consortium, a new industry-backed group that aims to simplify the design and testing of medical devices.

Medical device makers have criticized the FDA for an overly burdensome review process, which they claim slows down development of important new therapies. Congressional Republicans have held several hearings to scrutinize the agency’s system.

Faced with criticism from industry and Capitol Hill, the FDA has been highlighting efforts to slash red tape and accelerate review times.

The new consortium was created by LifeScience Alley, a Minnesota-based industry group that includes leading manufacturer Medtronic Inc.