Apple Execs Met With FDA on Mobile Medical Apps

A team of Apple executives met with officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month to discuss “mobile medical applications,” according to the agency’s public calendar.

The news adds more fuel to ongoing speculation that the Cupertino technology giant is integrating medical sensors and health features into forthcoming devices or software upgrades, potentially including next-generation mobile phones or a much-rumored smart watch. The New York Times reported the news of the FDA meeting earlier today.

Apple has been hiring medical experts in recent months, according to several earlier reports.

The Apple team included: Jeff Williams, senior vice president of operations; Bud Tribble, vice president of software technology; Cathy Novelli, vice president of worldwide government affairs; Michael O’Reilly, previously of Masimo Corp.; and Tim Powderly, who works in government affairs at Apple and was previously on the staff of California Rep. Henry Waxman, according to LinkedIn.

Apple, through spokesman Steve Dowling, declined to comment on the subject of the meeting. An FDA spokeswoman said she couldn’t provide additional detail on the meeting at this time.

Re/code Deputy Managing Editor John Paczkowski contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

We have a request

Vox's journalism is free because we believe that everyone deserves to understand the world that they live in. That kind of knowledge helps create better citizens, neighbors, friends, parents, consumers and stewards of this planet. In short, understanding benefits everyone. You can join in on this mission by making a financial gift to Vox today. Reader support helps keep our work free, for everyone. Will you join us?

One-Time Monthly Annual

$95/year

$120/year

$250/year

$350/year

Other

$

Yes, I'll give $120/year

Yes, I'll give $120/year

We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also contribute via