Medical Device and Healthcare Industry Trends — September 7, 2026

Top 5 Headlines Today

• FDA launches the 'TEMPO' pilot program for generative AI medical devices, permitting patient use prior to marketing authorization.
• MFDS pushes to shorten approval times by implementing the 'Immediate Market Entry' system for innovative medical devices starting June 2026.
• Korean medical AI companies face worsening profitability as domestic reimbursement listings lag behind US and EU approvals.
• FDA issues relaxed regulatory guidelines for low-risk wearables and AI health software.
• Global digital healthcare VC investments plummet year-over-year amid a sector-wide slump.

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asiaactual.com

asiaactual.com

Key Company Trends (At least 4 items)

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meddeviceguide.com

meddeviceguide.com

FDA (US Food and Drug Administration)

• What Happened: Included generative AI medical devices from Cadence and Limbic in the TEMPO pilot program.
• Numbers: 4 devices selected, allowing patient use prior to marketing authorization.
• Implications: The FDA is lowering regulatory barriers to accelerate the market entry of AI technologies. This provides a new pathway for Korean AI medical device companies like Lunit and VUNO to accumulate clinical data and expedite monetization in the US market.

Samsung Electronics

• What Happened: The FDA-cleared Galaxy Ring sits at the center of wearable and cybersecurity issues, which have emerged as core challenges in health system operations.
• Numbers: FDA Clearance completed.
• Implications: As Samsung's wearable device is recognized beyond simple fitness as a medical device, data security and clinical validation are becoming core requirements for future market dominance.

GE HealthCare

• What Happened: AI-based breast ultrasound diagnostic technology drew attention as a major operational pressure point in the 2026 medical field.
• Numbers: Expanded application of AI diagnostic tools.
• Implications: Major global equipment manufacturers are focusing on enhancing diagnostic efficiency through AI, signaling that AI-integrated solution development is also essential for Korean medical imaging equipment companies.

Domestic Digital Healthcare Startups (e.g., Givita, etc.)

• What Happened: Fundraising activities, such as Series A investments, continue in the digital therapeutics (DTx) and healthcare service sectors, though the overall investment scale has shrunk.
• Numbers: Confirmed Series A investment of KRW 4.5 billion.
• Implications: Early-stage startups need clear clinical value and US market entry strategies to survive. Overseas regulatory response capabilities have become critical to overcoming the limitations of the domestic market.

MFDS, Policy, and Regulations (At least 3 items)

Implementation of the Immediate Market Entry System for Innovative Medical Devices

• Details: The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the MFDS officially launched the 'Immediate Market Entry Medical Technology' system on January 26, 2026, to support the rapid market entry of innovative medical devices.
• Target: Innovative medical devices applying advanced technologies such as AI and big data.
• Implementation Date: January 26, 2026 (official implementation following the pilot phase).
• Industry Impact: Products can reach the market in a much shorter time than previous review periods, creating a favorable environment for Korean companies to secure global competitiveness.

Abolition of Sales Suspension Grace Period for Medical Device GMP Regular Audit Violations

• Details: The 'sales suspension grace period' previously applied when violations were found during regular GMP audits has been abolished.
• Target: Manufacturers and importers of in vitro diagnostic medical devices and general medical devices.
• Implementation Date: Strengthened compliance obligations for relevant notices starting March 26, 2026.
• Industry Impact: Since sales are immediately suspended upon violating Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, manufacturers must heighten their awareness of maintaining and managing quality systems at all times.

Partial Amendment Notice on Medical Device Approval, Notification, and Review Regulations (Notice No. 2026-6)

• Details: Regulations on medical device approval and review have been amended to change detailed procedures.
• Target: All medical device manufacturing and import notification companies.
• Implementation Date: January 26, 2026.
• Industry Impact: Approval application documents and procedures must be updated in accordance with the revised notice, reflecting new criteria for the classification and designation of digital medical products in particular.

Digital Health & AI Medical (At least 3 items)

• FDA TEMPO Pilot (Cadence, Limbic): The FDA launched the TEMPO pilot allowing pre-marketing use of generative AI medical devices, selecting products from Cadence and Limbic. This is a regulatory innovation case enabling rapid clinical field application and data collection for AI products.
• Korean Medical AI Companies (Lunit, VUNO, etc.): AI diagnostic software approved in the US (FDA) and Europe (CE) by Korean companies is reportedly facing difficulties generating commercial revenue domestically due to delayed insurance reimbursement listings.
• FDA Low-Risk Wearable/AI Regulatory Relief: The FDA issued new guidelines excluding low-risk wellness functions and clinical decision support tools from medical device regulatory oversight, easing regulatory burdens for wearables like the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

Global MedTech Context

• FDA Reshaping AI Medical Device Regulation: The FDA significantly eased oversight on AI and wearable products while introducing experimental tracks like the TEMPO pilot — Implications for the Korean industry: An opportunity for domestic companies to reduce regulatory risks and accelerate market entry when expanding into the US.
• Lack of Clinical Validation for AI Medical Devices: A study revealed that among 1,357 FDA-approved AI medical devices, only 3 have verified actual patient outcome improvements — Implications for the Korean industry: Proving clinical utility (outcomes) alongside simple algorithm performance will be a core differentiator in future global markets.
• Global Digital Health Investment Slump: Venture capital investments in the global digital healthcare sector are generally contracting — Implications for the Korean industry: As fundraising difficulty rises, securing independent revenue models or growth strategies through strategic partnerships is essential.

Investment, M&A, and IPO Trends

• Givita Series A Investment: Digital healthcare startup Givita secured a Series A investment worth KRW 4.5 billion. While investors remain undisclosed, the company plans to focus on digital protocol innovations for pre-diabetic patients.
• Sector-Wide Investment Contraction: Total investment in the digital healthcare sector, including digital therapeutics (DTx), dropped sharply in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The second quarter showed an even lower investment flow than the first.

Today's Insight

The FDA's launch of the TEMPO pilot symbolizes a shift away from the traditional regulatory paradigm where AI medical devices were launched only after 'complete verification,' moving toward a pre-launch, post-verification model predicated on 'real-time learning and monitoring.' Korean companies must leverage this opportunity to secure early data in the US market, but if they fail to resolve the structural issue of delayed domestic reimbursement, there is a persistent risk of an 'empty victory' where global achievements fail to translate into domestic profits. Therefore, accelerating global expansion in step with global regulatory easing must be accompanied by negotiations with domestic policy authorities regarding insurance reimbursement linkage.

Checkpoints This Week

• Whether initial clinical data from companies participating in the FDA TEMPO pilot will be made public
• Announcement of the first approval case under the MFDS Immediate Market Entry system for innovative medical devices
• Second-half business plans and fundraising trends of major digital healthcare startups

Reader Action Items

• Founders / Practitioners: Review the eligibility requirements for the FDA TEMPO pilot and assess whether your AI product fits the criteria.
• Investors: Pay attention to AI medical device companies holding clinical outcome data. Simple performance metrics alone will not prove future market competitiveness.
• Corporate Executives: Check quality management risks stemming from reinforced GMP regulations and re-examine internal audit systems.