Unlock Funding and Market Confidence with Breakthrough Device Designation

Your board, investors, and market need signals of regulatory momentum.

Breakthrough Device Designation (BDD) from the FDA is the clearest signal you can send that:

  • Your device addresses an unmet medical need
  • FDA has prioritized your review for expedited feedback and faster clearance
  • You're positioned to raise capital and close strategic partnerships

The challenge:

  • You need it done yesterday - Your next funding round, board meeting, or strategic partnership depends on showing regulatory momentum now
  • You need a full-service firm, not more tasks - The last thing you need is a consultant handing you templates and adding to your team's workload. You need experts who own it end-to-end and deliver on autopilot

You need certainty and speed.

If we believe your device meets the criteriaWe guarantee your Breakthrough Device Designation application will be granted.

Our Speed and Certainty Promise

We guarantee your Breakthrough Device Designation application will be submitted to FDA in 4 weeks-or receive a partial refund.

We guarantee your Breakthrough Device Designation application will be approved by FDA or receive a partial refund.

Unlike consultants who hand you templates, we own the entire process with our full-stack team of MDs, PhDs, regulatory experts, and engineers.

Qualification Criteria

Not all devices qualify. You need:

  1. A medical device that treats or diagnoses a life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating condition
  2. An argument that your device provides more effective and/or more equitable treatment or diagnosis compared to standard of care
  3. Early version of the device or algorithm so we can articulate intended use and clinical benefit
  4. Organizational priority - BDD should be a top strategic objective

Our selectivity protects you: We only take on projects we believe have a strong likelihood of BDD approval. If we don’t feel your device qualifies, we can help you get there!

Our Process: Battle-Tested. Guaranteed.

We've successfully secured BDD for multiple clients. Our process:

What You Get:

  • Eligibility assessment against the eight BDD criteria
  • Complete BDD application package including:
    • Device description and intended use
    • Demonstration of unmet medical need
    • Evidence of potential clinical benefit over standard of care
    • Preliminary development and testing plan
    • Supporting literature and clinical rationale
  • FDA eSTAR submission prepared and filed
  • Strategic guidance on leveraging BDD for fundraising and partnerships

Timeline: Application submitted within 4 weeks of project start.

Click for detailed BDD criteria and strategy

The FDA grants Breakthrough Device Designation to devices that meet all of the following criteria:

Core Requirements:

  1. The device provides for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions
  2. The device meets at least one of the following:
    • Represents breakthrough technology
    • No approved or cleared alternatives exist
    • Offers significant advantages over existing alternatives
    • Device availability is in the best interest of patients

Our Process:

Week 1: Discovery and Eligibility Assessment

  • Kick-off meeting with your team
  • Review device specifications, clinical data, and competitive landscape
  • Assess eligibility against all eight BDD criteria
  • Identify gaps in available evidence or documentation
  • Deliverable: Eligibility assessment memo with go/no-go recommendation

Week 2: Strategic Positioning and Device Description

  • Identify strongest arguments for unmet medical need and clinical benefit
  • Map comparable devices and articulate differentiation points
  • Draft comprehensive device description and intended use statement
  • Develop breakthrough technology justification (if applicable)
  • Deliverable: Device description document and positioning strategy

Week 3: Evidence Compilation and Application Development

  • Compile supporting literature and clinical evidence
  • Document preliminary development and testing plan
  • Write comprehensive BDD request demonstrating:
    • Life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating condition
    • More effective treatment or diagnosis vs. standard of care
    • Breakthrough technology argument
    • Absence of alternatives or significant advantages
  • Deliverable: Draft BDD application for client review

Week 4: Finalization and FDA Submission

  • Incorporate client feedback on draft application
  • Prepare FDA eSTAR package and all required attachments
  • Quality review and final approval
  • Submit to FDA
  • Deliverable: Complete FDA submission with confirmation receipt

Post-Submission:

  • FDA typically responds within 60 days with grant or denial
  • If granted: We help you leverage BDD for investor communications and regulatory planning
  • If denied: We pivot to alternative regulatory strategies (covered under our guarantee)

Why Innolitics?

  • All we do is software as a medical device (SaMD) and AI as a medical device since 2012
  • 50+ SaMD and SiMD products cleared through FDA
  • Multiple successful BDD applications across imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutic devices
  • Full-time MDs, PhDs, software engineers, and regulatory experts on staff
  • We are the only ones offering a speed and certainty guarantee

Case Studies

Radiology Software Fast 510(k)

Fast 510(k) for a medical image viewer starting with no documentation

Read the case study

Rob Lewis - Radiology

Fast 510(k)Guaranteed AI/ML FDA ClearanceRegulatory Strategy, Q-Sub, and BDD in 2 WeeksGuaranteed Breakthrough Device Designation510k
Logo, Software Services Firm with First Product

Fast 510(k) for Breakthrough IVD

Guide an engineering team without FDA experience through a 510(k) for a breakthrough in vitro diagnostic (IVD) platform

Read the case study

VP of Systems R&D - Microbiology

Fast 510(k)Guaranteed AI/ML FDA ClearanceRegulatory Strategy, Q-Sub, and BDD in 2 WeeksGuaranteed Breakthrough Device Designation510kIVD

Body Check (FDA Cleared End to End AI/ML SaMD)

AI/ML engineering and FDA clearance of a radiology AI/ML quantitative imaging SaMD.

Read the case study

Dr. Steven Rothenberg MD - Radiology

Medical Imaging AI DevelopmentSoftware DevelopmentRegulatory StrategyFDA Hold Letter ResponseFast 510(k)FDA CybersecurityGuaranteed AI/ML FDA ClearanceRegulatory Strategy, Q-Sub, and BDD in 2 WeeksGuaranteed Breakthrough Device DesignationAI/ML510kImage Processing
Logo, Body Check

RadUnity (FDA Cleared DICOM Workflow Engine)

We implemented a data-intensive DICOM image processing system to aid clinical workflows. We built this as a modern web application for ease of use. We prepared a complete 510(k) submission for the device and obtained FDA clearance. Both engineering and FDA clearance were completed within 14 months, starting from the ground up.

Read the case study

Tim Szczykutowicz, PhD - Radiology

Software DevelopmentFast 510(k)Regulatory StrategyFDA Hold Letter ResponseGuaranteed AI/ML FDA ClearanceRegulatory Strategy, Q-Sub, and BDD in 2 WeeksGuaranteed Breakthrough Device DesignationWeb-AppImage ProcessingDICOM510k
Logo, RadUnity

Smile Dx (Dental CADe AI/ML SaMD)

Innolitics partnered with Cube Click to develop Smile Dx, an AI-powered dental diagnostic tool that enhances dentists’ ability to detect caries (cavities), periodontal disease (gum disease), and periapical radiolucencies (PARL). The project showcases our engineering expertise through the development of a comprehensive web application with deep learning capabilities, while also demonstrating our regulatory competence by successfully guiding the product through FDA pre-submission and 510(k) submission processes.

Read the case study

Dr. Richard Ricci, DDS, MS, FAGD, Dr. Andrea R. Cambria, DDS, FAGD - Dental

Guided 510(k)Software DevelopmentWeb-AppAI/MLImage Processing510k
Logo, Cube Click, Inc.

NSI (Automated Neuroanatomy in Infant brains)

Innolitics partnered with NeuroSpectrum Insights to develop Gyricalc, a diagnostic tool for neurodevelopmental conditions in children as young as two years old. This project showcases our engineering expertise in transforming a research idea into a fully developed web application and highlights our regulatory proficiency in successfully navigating the FDA pre-submission and 510(k) submission processes.

Read the case study

Andrew Stewart - Neurology

Software DevelopmentGuided 510(k)Regulatory StrategyWeb-App510kImage Processing
Logo, NeuroSpectrum Insights, Inc

Orthopedic AI/ML SaMD Strategy and Presub

OrthoVentions, a medical device startup accelerator partnering with Hospital for Special Surgery, needed FDA regulatory strategy for Gemini—an AI-powered SaMD platform creating 3D joint models from 2D MRI. After finding two other consultants suboptimal, they chose Innolitics for proactive FDA expertise, pragmatic approach that preserved strong existing work, and strategic project management. Innolitics delivered a robust FDA Pre-Submission on time and within budget. The outcome: “They did what they said they were going to do, and they did it within the budget that they said they were going to do. So there were no surprises.”

Read the case study

Dr. Jagi Gill, MD - Radiology

Regulatory StrategyAI/ML
Logo, OrthoVentions

Testimonials

7 weeks to submission and 6 months to FDA clearance. Innolitics delivered exactly what we needed. They took ownership of the entire DHF and 510(k) package—documentation, cybersecurity, risk management, the works. When we hit internal roadblocks, they found ways to keep us moving. When scope decisions needed to be made fast, they made the right calls. Fast, thorough, no surprises, and full service. That’s how regulatory consulting should work!
Dr. Peter Killcommons, MD

Dr. Peter Killcommons, MD

CEO MedWeb

I needed a software development partner to write the software, train the AI, and get FDA clearance. An investor once told me that it would take me $5 million and 5 years to get to where we are now. Innolitics got me here 3 years ahead of schedule and $4 million dollars under budget.
Dr. Andrew Smith, MD PhD

Dr. Andrew Smith, MD PhD

Co-Founder at AI Metrics & Chair of Diagnostic Imaging at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

They were proactive, informative, and very well-versed in the regulatory challenges of AI in medical imaging… Unlike competitors, who sometimes take a blanket approach, Innolitics didn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. They recognized the good work already done and built upon it… We reviewed other capable firms, but none showed the same depth of understanding of the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and regulatory requirements. Their proactive stance with the FDA gave us confidence that we were in the right hands, compared to competitors who seemed more reactive.
Dr. Jagi Gill, MD

Dr. Jagi Gill, MD

Founder and Managing Director

Working with Innolitics has been a fantastic experience. Their technical and regulatory expertise is exceptional—it’s not just programming; it’s science combined with a deep understanding of FDA regulations. Interacting with their team feels like collaborating with fellow scientists who navigate the complexities of regulatory compliance effortlessly. Their mastery in detailing the ends of the slice ranges (they’ll know what I mean) and guiding us through the FDA process has been impressive. I’ve recommended them multiple times and will continue to do so.
Tim Szczykutowicz, PhD

Tim Szczykutowicz, PhD

CEO

During a presubmission meeting, the FDA acknowledged that Innolitics were “extremely advanced” in their understanding of the regulations. The FDA essentially concurred with all of Innolitics’ advice, demonstrating a deep understanding of the regulations, even in the face of ambiguous topics such as CADe vs non-CADe. They expertly, and politely, navigated the FDA call with our best interests in mind while fostering a collaborative exchange with the agency.
Dr. Ilya Pyatnitskiy, MD

Dr. Ilya Pyatnitskiy, MD

Cofounder of AUMI AI

Innolitics are more than a group of top SaMD engineers and reg consultants—they are trusted advisors and are like family. They are a one stop shop for AI/ML algorithm R&D, full stack web development, and FDA regulatory clearance. We built SmileDx, a dental CADe from scratch all without needing to raise external funding and within a reasonable timeframe.
Dr. Richard Ricci, DDS, MS, FAGD

Dr. Richard Ricci, DDS, MS, FAGD

CEO

Innolitics’ team epitomized proficiency, professionalism, and precision. Their expertise extends beyond FDA regulations, encompassing intricate facets of DICOM, radiology workflows, and adept software engineering. Venturing into this without their support would have potentially stretched our timeline to 9 months or more. Earning the FDA clearance (K231385), for us, is more than just an accomplishment; it’s a monumental milestone.
Amr Abodraiaa

Amr Abodraiaa

CEO of Rology

Thanks to Innolitics, we were able to complete the software documentation for our 510(k) in just 4 months. They flew onsite to absorb how our software worked and provided detailed guidance. Without Medtech OS, training, and support, I can easily imagine the process taking 12 months. Our engineering team was able to focus on feature development instead of being bogged down with documentation. We tried three different consultants before finding Innolitics. None of them could deliver. Innolitics took the reins and made it happen. I don’t see how we would have completed our 510(k) without them.
VP of Systems R&D

VP of Systems R&D

IVD Startup

Our Publications

We are thought leaders in the AI/ML enabled medical device software space. Here are some of our many articles and resources:

FAQs

How much does it cost?

BDD applications start at $25k. Pricing reflects the strategic value of this designation for fundraising, market positioning, and FDA acceleration. We take on limited engagements to guarantee quality and timelines.

What is the FDA's timeline for BDD decisions?

FDA typically responds within 60 calendar days of submission with a grant or denial decision.

Can I publicly announce my BDD?

Yes. Many companies issue press releases upon BDD grant. It signals FDA prioritization and regulatory momentum-both strong messages for investors and strategic partners.

Does BDD guarantee FDA clearance?

No. BDD accelerates and prioritizes your review, but you still need to meet FDA's safety and effectiveness standards. However, the interactive review process significantly reduces regulatory risk.

What happens if my BDD application is denied?

If denied, you still have your standard regulatory pathway (510(k), De Novo, or PMA). We'll pivot immediately to optimize that strategy. Our guarantee covers this scenario.

We already have a regulatory consultant. Can you still help?

Absolutely. We frequently collaborate with in-house teams and external consultants, particularly on AI/ML and software-specific aspects of BDD applications.

Can BDD help with non-US markets?

BDD is US-specific, but it signals regulatory credibility globally. We focus exclusively on FDA to maintain deep expertise, though we have international partners for CE mark, Health Canada, etc.

What if I'm not sure we qualify?

Book a 30-minute assessment call. We'll evaluate your device against BDD criteria and recommend the best path forward-whether BDD or an alternative strategy.

Let's Talk

In a 30-minute call, we'll assess your device's BDD eligibility and provide a clear path to unlocking this strategic advantage.


Let's Talk

Every great partnership starts with a conversation. Fill out the form below for a discovery call, and an Innolitics team member will contact you soon.