The EU Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR) 2017/745 was introduced in response to the need for tighter regulation of medical devices (MDs) in Europe. However, with the increased regulatory burden, there could be potentially hundreds of unanticipated ramifications, particularly for smaller manufacturers and start-ups. By increasing regulation so significantly in a relatively short time period, the very rules which are designed to protect patients may prevent them from accessing the treatment they need and stifle innovation, as start-ups inevitably struggle under the weight of new requirements. This article assesses the delicate balance between innovation and regulation and analyses the relationship between the two.