Helena Olbertova, Ph.D.

IVDR Compliance & EU Market Access
for IVD Manufacturers

65+ IVD products certified across all device classes (A–D).
I turn complex IVDR regulations into swift EU market access — combining deep regulatory experience with smart, practical automation.

65+IVDR Certifications

400+Legacy Devices

6+Years Experience

Ph.D.Oncology & Biology

Classes A–DAll IVD Classes

What I Can Do For You

IVDR is complex and unforgiving. Whether you are launching a new IVD, managing a legacy portfolio, or navigating a Notified Body review cycle, I bring hands-on expertise and proven documentation frameworks to move your project forward efficiently and with confidence. I work primarily with manufacturers and clinical laboratories operating within the European regulatory framework, or those approaching it seriously as a priority.

IVDR Certification Projects

Core service. I support the full certification journey for new IVD products and legacy device transitions, from the initial regulatory strategy through Notified Body submission and all the steps that follow once the certificate is issued.

  • Intended purpose development and classification analysis
  • Regulatory strategy and project management
  • Technical documentation authoring (PEP, PER, SVR, GSPR) and supporting templates
  • Notified Body submission strategy, preparation, and feedback management
  • EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) preparation and issuance
  • Review of marketing materials, labelling, and website claims for compliance
  • Registration in national databases and EUDAMED
  • Ensuring postmarket surveillance and PMPF plans are active from day one
  • Legacy device portfolio management under IVDR

Notified Body Feedback Management

Stuck in a review cycle? NB feedback is often far less clear than it should be. I help you understand what the Notified Body actually means and expects, then prepare precise, technically sound responses that resolve issues rather than prolong them.

  • Interpreting NB deficiency letters and clarifying the actual requirements behind them
  • Identifying root causes of gaps in technical documentation
  • Drafting formal responses and revised documents
  • Strategic positioning of answers for the best possible outcome

IVDR Compliance in Your QMS

The deadline for IVDR QMS integration has passed. I help you check whether your existing Quality Management System truly meets what is expected under IVDR: reviewing procedures, SOPs, templates, and workflows to identify and close any remaining gaps, and to confirm that what you have in place will hold up in an audit.

Clinical & Regulatory Documents

Individual documents authored on a standalone basis or as part of a certification project. For other technical documentation components, I can prepare a quote based on your specific situation.

  • Performance evaluation plans (PEP) and reports (PER)
  • Scientific validity reports
  • Clinical evidence and postmarket follow-up plans
  • GSPR checklists
  • Review and alignment of risk management documentation with performance evaluation, IFU, and postmarket activities

Advisory & Strategic Consulting

Strategic consulting for manufacturers, startups, and clinical laboratories at any stage of development. I help clarify the regulatory path, identify gaps, and make informed decisions before they become costly ones.

  • Compliance roadmaps and gap analyses for IVD manufacturers and SMEs
  • In-house IVDs for clinical laboratories: IVDR applicability and compliance options
  • RUO and general laboratory use products: understanding IVD boundaries and available options for specific situations
  • Second opinions before critical NB submissions

Contract & Interim Roles

Need regulatory and clinical affairs capacity during a transition, peak workload, or key project? I step in as a solo interim RA/CA specialist, leading submissions, audits, and performance evaluation activities — and training your internal staff.

How We Work Together

01

Discovery Call

We start with a free 30-minute call to understand your product, your timeline, and your exact regulatory needs. No obligations — just clarity and a concrete next step.

02

Strategy & Planning

After signing an agreement, I design your regulatory roadmap — classification, documentation scope, milestones, and risk points. We align on expectations before diving in.

03

Hands-On Execution

I do the actual work: writing documents, building templates, managing NB communications, and keeping your project on track through to successful certification.

Proven Results in IVDR Compliance

65+

IVD products certified through the full IVDR process — across all device classes A through D.

400+

Legacy devices managed to ensure uninterrupted EU market presence under the new IVDR requirements.

6+

Years of frontline IVDR experience including audit readiness, NB interactions, and managing NB findings and feedback.

  • Strategy setting, intended purpose development, and classification analysis across all IVD classes
  • Audit readiness, and managing NB findings and feedback across multiple review cycles
  • Automation and AI-based tools to streamline regulatory documentation, reducing time without reducing quality
  • Cross-domain experience: diagnostics, oncology, immunology, molecular biology, infectious serology, blood grouping, and software as a medical device

What Clients Say

“Helena’s expertise in regulatory strategy and compliance was invaluable. She developed clear, practical IVDR implementation strategies, created efficient templates, and supported the entire process from submission strategies to successful audits.”

Head of QA/QC Department
Medium-sized manufacturer

“Within 60 minutes we received answers to our key questions on IVDR certification, including clear initial instructions. This allows us to plan our performance evaluation effectively. We appreciate the straightforward communication, practical tips, and the materials shared.”

Startup Stakeholders

“The pre-filled checklist has already streamlined my work. Thank you for your prompt and precise support.”

Regulatory Affairs Professional

“Thank you for the consultation. It was incredibly valuable and we gained many important insights. We look forward to future collaboration.”

Client Feedback
from Kick-Off Meeting

About Me

Helena Olbertova, Ph.D., IVDR Regulatory & Clinical Affairs Consultant

I am not a theorist — I am a regulatory practitioner. With a Ph.D. in Oncology and 6+ years of frontline IVDR experience, I specialise in preparing technical files and defending them through Notified Body review rounds to secure final certification.

This is primarily a one-person practice. When you work with me, you work with me directly. Every strategy, every document, every response to a Notified Body carries my personal expertise and accountability. For larger projects, I may bring in carefully selected independent professionals when additional capacity is genuinely needed, and I will always discuss that openly before it happens. I also collaborate with trusted specialists in areas outside my core scope, such as software regulatory pathways, full QMS setup from scratch, or stand-alone risk management system builds.

I combine scientific rigour with smart automation to handle the heavy lifting of regulatory documentation. Whether you need a gap analysis, a clinical performance report, or just straight answers to complex questions, I deliver results, not just reports, so your business moves forward fast.

I work primarily remotely via Teams, email, and shared cloud platforms. For the right project, I am happy to travel — ideally for a focused week at the start to build the foundations together, then continue remotely with periodic visits as needed. I am not looking to be constantly travelling, but a meaningful on-site presence at key moments is something I genuinely value. I am based in South Moravia, well placed for clients in and around Brno, Bratislava, and Vienna — and reachable across Europe.

I communicate directly. I do not sugar-coat reality. What I will always give you is honesty about the effort IVDR requires — and the expertise to make that effort count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Real questions from IVD manufacturers, startups, and regulatory teams — answered directly. Click any question to read the full answer.

Solving Immediate Issues

We are stuck in a cycle of Notified Body feedback. Can you help?

Yes. I act as a rescue for technical documentation and performance evaluation. I analyse the deficiency letter, identify root causes of the gaps, and prepare precise responses and revised documents. However, I always prefer to be involved before the first submission — catching issues early is far more efficient than resolving them in review.

Our R&D team is burning out from paperwork. How can you help?

I can train your team on IVDR requirements, provide clear structured guidance, and take on the hands-on writing of plans and reports. This frees your scientists to focus on what they do best — developing and innovating — rather than navigating regulatory documentation.

Can you just proofread our technical file before we send it to the Notified Body?

A surface-level proofread is not very helpful at this stage. I prefer a thorough review — asking targeted questions, identifying gaps, and actually improving the file before submission. That is the kind of engagement that prevents costly NB feedback cycles.

Strategy, Data, and Early Stages

We are in the early stages of product development. Is it too soon to involve an IVDR consultant?

It is the best time to start. Integrating regulatory requirements into your R&D phase prevents expensive redesigns later. We can begin with shorter targeted consultations to ensure your business strategy and technical development are perfectly aligned from day one, saving significant time and cost down the line.

How do we know what risk class our IVD falls into under IVDR?

Classification under IVDR is entirely different from the old IVDD directives. Most products are up-classified to Class B, C, or D — all under Notified Body surveillance. Together we run your intended purpose through the IVDR classification rules, which determines your entire timeline, budget, and clinical data requirements. Getting this right early is critical.

Our software uses AI to analyse patient data. Is that an IVD?

It could be. Software as a Medical Device (MDSW) is a complex area, especially at the intersection of the EU AI Act. If your software provides diagnostic information, it likely falls under IVDR. I work with partners on similar projects, so we can cover both software-specific requirements and your IVD technical file in a coordinated way.

We have older clinical data, or data from outside Europe. Can we use it?

Yes, you can and often should. Whether a bridging study is needed depends on the quality and traceability of your existing data. IVDR requires state-of-the-art clinical evidence, and leveraging well-documented existing datasets is often a key part of the strategy rather than an obstacle.

What is the practical benefit of working with a regulatory specialist who has a Ph.D. in biology? Are you not too theoretical?

My scientific background gives me a unique understanding of complex scientific projects and novel testing approaches. I have planned, developed, and presented my own research, and I use my experience in molecular biology, immunology, and good laboratory practice almost every day. The Ph.D. is not theoretical decoration — it means I understand the science behind your product deeply enough to argue it convincingly to a Notified Body.

How We Work Together

How does our collaboration start and progress?

We begin with a discovery call to understand your exact needs, current status, and timeline. After signing an agreement, we proceed organically through the IVDR requirements based on your current development phase. I use a targeted question-and-answer approach to find creative, practical solutions, and I help you manage submissions, documents, and Notified Body feedback throughout the project.

Can you work with us on-site?

I work primarily remotely via Teams, email, and shared cloud platforms, as this is the most efficient way to run day-to-day collaboration. For on-site work, my preference is a focused stint at the beginning of a project: a few days to a week where we build the foundations together, align with your internal team, and set a clear direction, then continue remotely with occasional visits as needed. That rhythm tends to work far better than either fully remote or constantly travelling. I am based in South Moravia, convenient for clients near Brno, Bratislava, and Vienna, and once I am heading to an airport, the destination does not much matter. I am happy to travel anywhere in Europe for the right project.

How much time will our internal team need to dedicate to the IVDR process?

You cannot outsource the entire process. Your team must provide technical specifications, raw laboratory data, and manufacturing and QMS details. However, I significantly reduce your internal time commitment by setting the strategy and preparing documents hands-on. My clients consistently describe the immediate relief of finally knowing exactly where to start, what is expected, and which gaps to close first.

Will you build our Quality Management System and risk management from scratch?

Building a QMS or risk management system from zero is outside my direct scope, but it is not a dead end. I collaborate with trusted independent professionals who specialise in exactly that. What I do personally is check and refine your existing systems to make sure they fully meet IVDR requirements and support your technical documentation. If you need a full QMS build alongside your IVDR project, we can discuss a coordinated approach.

Who is your service NOT for?

I communicate very directly and do not sugar-coat reality. My services are not for manufacturers who want to hand over IVDR entirely and remain passive. You cannot just buy a stamp — the entire company must change its internal habits and culture to be truly compliant. I am a partner in the work, not a shortcut around it.

Besides IVDR certification, what else do you offer?

I develop smart, simple automation tools to reduce the workload for QA/RA teams. For example: my EUDAMED XML registration service turns a complex upload task into a straightforward, fast process. I also help manufacturers speed up technical documentation file creation through practical automation tools that require no additional software or subscriptions. All designed to make compliance faster without cutting corners.

Investment and Next Steps

How do you keep up with ongoing regulatory changes?

I stay continuously alert to regulatory updates and proactively share relevant insights with my regular clients — highlighting new requirements, guidance documents, or shifts in Notified Body expectations. I also bring back practical information from congresses, training sessions, and industry events. You should never be surprised by a regulatory change that I have already spotted.

Can we afford your services?

My goal is to keep expert IVDR guidance genuinely accessible — including for companies working with tighter budgets. I offer individual consultations for specific questions as well as fixed-fee packages for predictable budgeting. I always keep the commercial potential of your product in mind, because sustainable compliance is the goal, not compliance for its own sake.

Can we start next week?

Possibly, it depends on your IVDR submission deadline and the scope of services you need. I balance my capacity carefully so every client gets the attention their project deserves. The best way to find out is to book a free discovery call and we will establish a realistic, honest timeline together.

What are the invoicing and payment terms?

I invoice in both EUR and CZK — you choose whichever works best for your company and location. I am a registered VAT payer in the Czech Republic (plátce DPH), so Czech VAT applies where required by law. For project-based and one-time services, payment is typically required in advance. Long-term retainer clients receive a monthly invoice at the end of each calendar month, with a 14-day payment period. Specific terms are always confirmed in our agreement before we start.

What questions should we consider before our first call?

Before we speak, I recommend your executive team discusses: What happens to your market position if you do nothing? How would a 12-month delay in CE-marking impact your revenue? What is the biggest operational challenge your RA/QA team faces right now? Are you prepared to invest meaningfully into your IVDR readiness and ongoing Notified Body surveillance? These questions will make our discovery call far more productive.

Let’s Connect

You will be talking directly to me. No sales team, no hand-offs. If you are looking for a reliable, experienced partner to move your IVDR project forward, let’s have an honest conversation about where you are and what needs to happen next.

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