WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Critical Path Initiative (CPI) which allows the FDA to enter into public-private partnerships with universities and non-profit organizations to modernize drug and medical device development.

“In order for the United States to stay ahead of the curve in the development of new drugs and medical devices, the government must work with private partners and encourage innovation. The Critical Path Initiative does just that,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “I’m excited to introduce this legislation to ensure these important public-private partnerships continue in the future.”

Launched in 2004, CPI is the FDA’s national strategy for transforming the way FDA-regulated medical products are developed, evaluated, and manufactured. The program has been reauthorized by Congress twice before and is essential to ensuring the United States is on the cutting edge of drug and medical device development.

This bill is part of a larger Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder package introduced by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. To learn more about the package, click here.

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