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# FDA Launches Digital Health Center of Excellence
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-launches-digital-health-center-of-excellence/
- Published: 2020-09-22T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:29:41.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5147708

FDA is launching a Digital Health Center of Excellence within CDRH. An online [announcement](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-launches-digital-health-center-excellence?ref=fdaweb.com) says the launch “is an important step in furthering the agency’s overarching dedication to the advancement of digital health technology, including mobile health devices, software as a medical device, wearables when used as a medical device, and technologies used to study medical products.”

**Bakul Patel**, who has been leading regulatory and scientific efforts related to digital health devices at FDA since 2010, has been appointed as the Center of Excellence’s first director.

FDA says the Digital Health Center of Excellence is primarily focused on helping both internal and external stakeholders achieve their goals of getting high-quality digital health technologies to patients by providing technological advice, coordinating and supporting work being done across FDA, advancing best practices, and reimagining digital health device oversight. The Center of Excellence is creating a network of digital health experts and engaging in collaborative communities to share knowledge and experience concerning digital health issues and priorities with agency staff, the notice says.

An integral part of the launch is said to be activities that will be provided to complement advances in digital health technology, such as launching strategic initiatives that advance digital health technologies, facilitating synergies in regulatory science research in digital health, and facilitating and building strategic partnerships.