AdvaMed Welcomes Senate Passage of Legislation Restoring Programs That Jumpstart Early Stage Medtech Innovation

WASHINGTON-AdvaMed, the Medtech Association, today welcomed Senate approval of legislation reauthorizing the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and urged the House of Representatives to act swiftly on passage.

"The Senate's action comes at a critical time for the industry," said Scott Whitaker, AdvaMed president and CEO. "The SBIR and STTR programs are invaluable to early stage medtech businesses and startups. The competitive grants the programs offer advance U.S. innovation in health care, creating high-quality jobs, strengthening our nation's leadership in medtech, and most importantly, serving patients by jumpstarting the development of lifesaving, life-enhancing medtech. Our small manufacturers are ready to continue helping Congress and the Administration innovate in the transformational field of medtech on behalf of patients. And with the Senate's actions last night, we are one step closer to continuing that mission. "

Small businesses and startups drive a tremendous amount of medtech innovation yet struggle to fund the early-stage research and development necessary to bring next-generation medtech solutions to patients. The SBIR/STTR programs help fill the gap, allowing innovation to flourish.

The majority of AdvaMed's more than 600 member companies are emerging and small businesses, represented through the AdvaMed Accel division. In a survey, 89 percent of Accel members reported applying for SBIR/STTR grants, with 31 percent successfully securing funding. The programs' competitive grants across 11 federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense, are essential to jumpstarting small medtech businesses.

Program authorization lapsed September 30, 2025. Congressional action to restore the programs will provide certainty and confidence to medtech startups in the early stages of their product innovation.

AdvaMed applauds the bipartisan efforts of Sen. Joni Ernst, chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Sen. Ed Markey, ranking member; Rep. Roger Williams, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Small Business; Rep. Lydia Velázquez, ranking member; Rep. Brian Babin, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology; and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, ranking member.