RAQA Today

Hosted by Michelle Lott

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May 2026

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Podcast by Michelle Lott

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May 26, 202616 min

From Innovation to Adoption: The Realities of Medical Device Market Entry

Brilliant technology is not enough.In this episode, Renae Franz unpacks the realities of medical device commercialization — including regulatory strategy, reimbursement, clinician adoption, usability, and market validation.Through real-world medtech case studies, the conversation examines why technically strong products fail when they ignore workflow, reimbursement, or the “voice of the customer.” Topics include:Market assessment and competitive positioningThe impact of Europe’s transition from MDD to MDRClinician usability failuresUnknown clinical problems and slow market education cyclesA practical discussion for MedTech founders, regulatory professionals, commercialization teams, and healthcare innovators navigating the gap between invention and adoption.

December 8, 202540 min

Building a Better Market Pathway: Aligning Regulatory, Reimbursement and Commercialization Teams

Most medtech teams underestimate the work before FDA submission—and overestimate what happens after clearance. In this episode, regulatory expert Michelle Lott, commercialization strategist Renae Franz, and reimbursement specialist Fernanda Nusbaum unpack the leadership blind spots, strategic missteps, and easily avoidable financial risks that derail medtech companies every day.You’ll learn why regulatory, reimbursement, and commercial strategy must be developed in parallel; how misaligned claims create expensive detours; what payers actually look for (hint: not FDA clearance); when coding fails; how reimbursement timelines stretch into years; and how to pick the right regulatory pathway without blowing your budget.Packed with real examples—including companies that lost funding because they misunderstood CPT codes and companies that reached market faster by stair-stepping claims—this episode gives founders, CEOs, and RA/QA leaders a roadmap for reducing rework, avoiding FDA surprises, and accelerating revenue.

December 2, 2025Episode 617 min

How to be the Regulatory Person Everyone Actually Likes | Device & Conquer | S2:E6

A practical, lightly spicy guide to becoming the regulatory person teams actually respect—and want in the room.Learn how regulatory and quality professionals can build trust, lower resistance, and communicate across cross-functional teams without becoming the “department of no.” This episode covers communication habits, emotional intelligence, conflict navigation, and how to say no without alienating coworkers.Be sure to like and subscribe for even more insights on medical device regulations, compliance, and quality systems (it will be fun and not painful, we promise). Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s9oFmyFZGL0Visit us at https://leanraqa.com/ for evenmore regulatory goodness and to learn more about our services.📩Got a question or a topic for a future session? Drop it in the comments below!

November 18, 2025Episode 515 min

How to Build a Quality System That Doesn't Suck | Device & Conquer | S2:E5

Because your QMS should be a safety net—not a set of handcuffs.In this episode of Device and Conquer, Michelle and Ti break down how to build a quality management system (QMS) that doesn’t suck—or suck the life out of your MedTech team. From the shift to FDA’s new QMSR aligned with ISO 13485:2016 to risk-based thinking, supplier controls, and right-sizing your documentation, this episode gives you actionable, real-world strategies to streamline your QMS without sacrificing compliance.Whether you’re a three-person startup or a 20,000-person organization, you’ll learn how to avoid bloated SOPs, empower teams to own their processes, and build a culture where quality is a partner—not the “business prevention department.”Includes horror-story “QMS Confessions” you won’t believe.Be sure to like and subscribe for even more insights on medical device regulations, compliance, and quality systems (it will be fun and not painful, we promise). Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/b947AW_N3ncVisit us at https://leanraqa.com/ for evenmore regulatory goodness and to learn more about our services.📩Got a question or a topic for a future session? Drop it in the comments below!#FDA #RegulatoryAffairs #MedicalDevices #MedTech #Compliance #PreSub#QualitySystems #submissions #commercialization #startups #productlaunches#businessdevelopment

November 17, 202558 min

Due Diligence for MedTech Investors: What You Really Need to Know Before Writing That Check

If you’re thinking about investing in medtech, congratulate yourself—you’ve chosen one of the most exciting, innovative, and occasionally stomach-churning sectors out there. But between regulatory hurdles, clinical workflow quirks, and the fact that even great ideas can wither in the wild, medtech due diligence is…well, a sport.In a recent webinar, industry veteran Renee Franz (Lean RAQA) teamed up with venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur Mudit Jain, PhD, (Treo Ventures) to walk investors through the realities of evaluating medical device opportunities. With over 30 years of combined experience, plus unicorn exits, hundreds of cleared devices, and several cautionary tales under their belts, their conversation is a gold mine for investors entering this space. Subscribe to the leanRAQA Today podcast for even more bold, insightful conversations that make medtech regulation make sense.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y_QojHiu4dQVisit us at https://leanraqa.com/ for even moreregulatory goodness and to learn more about our services.

November 11, 2025Episode 419 min

Why Picking a Predicate Can Make or Break Your 510(k) | Device & Conquer | S2:E4

Choosing a predicate device can make—or break—your 510(k) submission, so it's important to choose wisely.In this episode of Device and Conquer, Michelle Lott and Ti Benson break down one of the trickiest parts of the FDA clearance process: how to select a predicate that passes the “substantial equivalence” test without raising new questions of safety and efficacy.You’ll learn how to build a strong predicate comparison table, what features FDA expects you to include, how to evaluate post-market data, and when older or newer devices make sense. Michelle and Ty also unpack the latest FDA thinking on predicate age, recalls, and draft guidances that are reshaping the regulatory landscape.Whether you’re new to regulatory strategy or refining your next submission, this conversation offers practical insight—and a few laughs along the way—into making your predicate selection bulletproof.Watch the video on YouTube: Be sure to subscribe to the Device & Conquer podcast for bold, insightful conversations that make medtech regulation make sense.Visit us at https://leanraqa.com/ for even more regulatory goodness and to learn more about our services.📩Got a question or a topic for a future session? Drop it in the comments below!#FDA #RegulatoryAffairs #MedicalDevices #MedTech #Compliance#PreSub#QualitySystems #submissions #commercialization #startups#productlaunches#businessdevelopment

November 3, 202520 min

How to Build a 510(k) Without Losing Your Mind | Device & Conquer | S2:E3

Building a 510(k) isn’t just about filling in forms — it’s about telling the FDA a story they can’t say no to.In this episode of Device & Conquer, Michelle Lott and Tianna Benson unpack what really goes into preparing an FDA 510(k) submission — from substantial equivalence and predicate devices to the eSTAR template, testing requirements, and why your submission is basically a regulatory novel.They also cover the difference between traditional, special, and abbreviated 510(k) pathways, the myths around timelines, and why “just throw money at it” never works when you’re waiting on biocompatibility results.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to structure your 510(k) as a cohesive “story”What FDA reviewers actually look for (and what confuses them)The role of risk management, human factors, and performance testingWhat the eSTAR template really does — and doesn’t — simplifyWhen to use special vs. traditional 510(k) submissionsHow to avoid common rookie mistakes and review delaysWhy patience, precision, and planning matter more than fundingWatch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1XuGuLRsFyYBe sure to subscribe to the Device & Conquer podcast forbold, insightful conversations that make medtech regulation make sense.Visit us at https://leanraqa.com/ for even more regulatory goodness and to learn more about our services.📩Got a question or a topic for a future session? Drop it in the comments below!#productlaunches#businessdevelopmentfor even more regulatory goodness andto learn more about our services.📩Gota question or a topic for a future session? Drop it in the comments below!#FDA #RegulatoryAffairs #MedicalDevices #MedTech #Compliance#PreSub#QualitySystems #submissions #commercialization #startups#productlaunches#businessdevelopment

October 28, 2025Episode 216 min

How to Submit a Pre-Sub (like a Pro) | Device & Conquer | S2:E2

The FDA pre-submission (Q-Sub) process can save you time — or sink your submission. In this episode of Device and Conquer, Michelle Lott and Tianna Benson explain how to Pre-Sub like a pro.They explain when to use a pre-sub, how to structure your questions, and what to expect from FDA’s new eSTAR electronic template. Plus: insider tips on labeling, clinical protocols, and the art of “Does FDA concur?”You’ll learn:How to use pre-subs to guide your FDA reviewer’s thinkingWhat makes a strong vs. weak pre-sub questionThe difference between protocols and data (and why it matters)The risks of vague, open-ended questionsWhy IFUs and labeling now drive early FDA interpretationHow FDA feedback lives forever — even from 10 years agoListen in and learn how to master the FDA pre-sub process and get insights that will help you move your device forward.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XIJ2SAyAF9wBe sure to subscribe to the Device and Conquer podcast for bold, insightful conversations that make medtech regulation make sense. Visit us at https://leanraqa.com/ for evenmore regulatory goodness and to learn more about our services.📩Got a question or a topic for a future session? Drop it in the comments below!#FDA #RegulatoryAffairs #MedicalDevices #MedTech #Compliance #PreSub#QualitySystems #submissions #commercialization #startups #productlaunches#businessdevelopment

October 22, 2025Episode 623 min

FDA Strategy 2025: Policy, Pressures and the Path to Medtech Clearance | Part I | leanRAQA Today | S5:E6

The FDA state of the union in 2025 - deregulation, QMSR, and a toilet paper shortage?Listen in as Michelle Lott and Tianna Benson tackle the wild world of FDA policy shifts and what they mean for medical device manufacturers. From the administration’s sweeping deregulation mandates to the long-awaited transition from QSR to QMSR, they connect the dots between chaos, comedy, and compliance.You’ll hear:How the FDA’s current freeze on new regulations is reshaping device approval pathwaysWhat the shift from QSR to QMSR really means for your quality systemWhy De Novo submissions are both a blessing and a black box right nowAnd yes… how a literal shortage of office supplies at FDA HQ ties into all of thisWhether you’re a regulatory pro, a QA lead, or just someone who enjoys watching bureaucracy unfold in real time, this episode will help you decode what’s happening at the FDA — and how to stay one step ahead.Subscribe to the leanRAQA Today podcast for even more bold, insightful conversations that make medtech regulation make sense.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5vQjrwYforYVisit us at https://leanraqa.com/ for even more regulatory goodness and to learn more about our services.

October 21, 2025Episode 121 min

How to Speak FDA (Without a Translator) | Device & Conquer | S2:E1

Think you speak English? The FDA might disagree.In the Season 2 kickoff of Device &Conquer, hosts Michelle Lott and Tianna Benson break down the unique language of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — a dialect every medtech professional needs to understand to survive regulatory conversations.From decoding words like “should,” “non-binding,” and “substantial equivalence” to navigating claims, AI buzzwords, and “inherent use,” this episode reveals why context, punctuation, and phrasing can make or break your FDA submission.You’ll learn:Why “should” really means “shall” in FDA guidanceHow to argue (and win) your case using the right regulatory languageWhat “substantial equivalence” actually means (and doesn’t)Why saying your product uses “AI” might double your review timeThe hidden meaning of “general wellness” and “inherent use”How punctuation can change compliance outcomesWhether you’re a startup founder or seasoned QA/RA pro, this is your crash course in how to speak FDA — without a translator.Listen, laugh, and learn as Michelle and Tianna pour a cocktail and translate regulatory jargon into plain English.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lCICbNHgt4I