2025 Phillip Dejardin

Partner at Arnold & Porter

Former FDA device regulator and Johnson & Johnson MedTech VP

Philip Desjardins, Partner in Arnold & Porter’s Life Sciences & Healthcare Regulatory Practice, brings two decades of experience working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) and serving in pivotal leadership roles in Johnson & Johnson’s MedTech businesses. During his time at Johnson & Johnson, Phil held leadership roles in the company’s Orthopedic, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular and Specialty Solutions groups. As head of CDRH’s policy organization, Phil developed the agency’s policies governing medical devices in relation to legislation, regulations, and enforcement actions. In that role, he also helped develop and implement CDRH’s policies on issues related to premarket review, inspections, clinical trials, combination products, and audits conducted by the Government Accountability Office and the Office of the Inspector General. While at FDA, Phil was a member of the Center’s senior management team where advised staff on the legal implications of potential compliance actions, pending litigation, and enforcing post-market regulatory requirements.

His comprehensive insights into the intricacies of the FDA’s operational framework and regulatory expectations and broad knowledge of the MedTech ecosystem position Phil as a leading authority on MedTech regulatory affairs and compliance issues. He has consistently delivered successful outcomes to a spectrum of clients, from startups to the largest manufacturers. Phil’s background uniquely positions him to skillfully guide clients through the diligence and integration phases of acquisitions with a focus on risk mitigation strategies and practical solutions to regulatory and quality challenges.