FDA Crisis Management: Behind-The-Scenes Of Josh Hardy's Compassionate Use

Chimerix's former CEO and an FDA official recount campaign for dying child’s access to experimental drug; company adversary now recommends partnership with industry rather than social media push.

Debra Birnkrant, director of FDA’s Division of Antiviral Drug Products, was watching television one Sunday night when a news segment came on about Chimerix Inc.’s refusal to give its experimental drug brincidofovir to a dying seven-year old boy. She was stunned. The drug was in her review division and she had not known about this controversy.

“I heard things that were being said on the piece and I was very uncomfortable with it,” Birnkrant recalled. “I...

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