Soulaire Marketing Unapproved Device: FDA
FDA says it has learned that Soulaire Corp. in Santa Monica, CA, is marketing an external counter-pulsating device in the U.S. without marketing clearance or approval. A just-released 1/29 Warning Letter says the device is intended to treat chronic stable angina that is refractory to optimal anti-anginal medical therapy and without options for revascularization.
However, FDA says, the company is marketing the device for multiple intended uses outside of its original clearance, including the growth of new arteries, reduction or elimination of blood pressure medication, reduction of Covid-19 symptoms, and hair growth. “Your firm has not provided any evidence to FDA to substantiate the safety or efficacy of these uses,” the letter says, “and the agency is currently unaware of any data or literature that supports these claims.”
The letter says the device is adulterated because Soulaire does not have an approved PMA or IDE in place for it. It also is misbranded because Soulaire did not notify FDA of its intent to introduce the device into commercial distribution.
FDA requested that the company cease any activities that result in the misbranding or adulteration of the device, such as its commercial distribution for unapproved uses in addition to any other marketing claims/uses that have not received FDA clearance or approval. Soulaire was told to take prompt action to correct the violations and to respond with a list of specific actions it has taken to address the violations and prevent their recurrence, with documentation of the corrective actions and a schedule for completing them.