BARDA Shake Up May Prompt Broad Review Of Politicization of Countermeasures Office

Rick Bright is requesting an inspector general investigation into his removal as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development, accusing the Trump administration of favoring politics over science when making COVID-19 funding decisions. 

White House

The recently transferred head of the US federal agency responsible for running key COVID-19 vaccine efforts with the drug industry said Wednesday that his abrupt demotion came after he cautioned against directing federal funding to coronavirus treatments that lacked scientific merit and pushed back against green-lighting the widespread use of two anti-malarial drugs championed by President Donald Trump.

Rick Bright who was removed Tuesday from his post as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Pink Sheet for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Legislation

UK’s Decentralized Manufacturing Rules Designed To Allow For ‘Future Developments’

 

The UK drug regulator acknowledges that technology will “move on” and, as such, has designed its decentralized manufacturing regulation to be as “enduring” as possible. Experts from the MHRA explain what products are covered by the new framework and how it has been future-proofed.

US FDA Could Miss User Fee Spending Triggers With House FY 2026 Funding

 

FDA employees are concerned that while the budget authority total proposed for fiscal year 2026 meets the user fee appropriations' triggers, the FDA could have trouble meeting allocation triggers without cuts to non-review work.

Medicare Part D LIS Access Threatened By House Budget Bill’s Medicaid Obstacles

 
• By 

An unintended consequence of a provision framed as an administrative change in the bill could significantly reduce medication adherence among low-income older adults and increase mortality, a study found.

EUCOPE Wants Simpler Manufacturing Rules And Framework For Combined Trials Under EU Biotech Act

 

EU authorities must “take advantage” of the upcoming Biotech Act to reassess the bloc’s policies and “offset existing challenges” for small and midsized enterprises, trade association EUCOPE has said.

More from Pink Sheet

EMA Explores Supporting Drug Development For High Unmet Need Disorder Scleroderma

 

While treatments for scleroderma are in development, none are approved for the condition that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The European Medicines Agency says guidance on how to design development programs for the disorder is needed.

EMA Nod For First MASH Drug Rezdiffra, Cell Therapy Zemcelpro And 11 Others

 

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals’ Rezdiffra is on track to become the first medicine approved in the EU for non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis after the European Medicines Agency recommended that it be granted conditional marketing authorization.

BIO Notebook: Policy Uncertainty Constraining Dealmaking

 

Highlights from Day Four of the BIO International Convention include policy concerns helping constrain dealmaking, Novartis discussing its approach to partnering, and Generate looking for funding to move into Phase III.