It's been about a year since the FDA decided to deal with potential safety issues with drug-eluting stents. Now, it looks like the agency is finally ready to toughen the requirements for approval.
The stricter requirements likely will increase the amount of time a stent needs to be tested in clinical trials before it's approved. Depending on how long the trials are extended, the change could substantially increase the development costs for drug-eluting stents. The new requirements won't affect stents from Johnson & Johnson
The new requirements also shouldn't affect the likelihood of approval for Abbott Laboratories'
Sanofi-Aventis
I'm not sure the new requirements affect whether now is a good time to invest in stent makers. The requirements likely will increase research and development costs for the companies, but they'll also raise the bar for any newcomers that want to break into the market. As a Fool knows, investing in stocks with moats around them is a pretty good way to mend a broken heart.
More Foolishness on the tiny medical devices:
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