1. Pink Sheet
  2. >>Agency Leadership
  3. >>US FDA

Biden's COVID-19 Advisory Board Bodes Well For Science-Driven FDA

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Two prominent former US FDA officials are a part of the president-elect’s new COVID-19 advisory board. Biden’s emphasis on scientific independence, including a commitment to publicly release vaccine trial data, could help restore public confidence in the agency and coming COVID-19 vaccines.

11/07/2020, USA: Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks as vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris listens at The Queen theater, in Wilmington.
President-elect Biden announced his COVID-19 advisory board 9 November • Source: Shutterstock

The composition of US President-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board announced 9 November is a positive sign that the Food and Drug Administration will be free from the political tinkering that often colored the pandemic response of President Donald Trump's administration, potentially beginning a reversal in recent trends of decreased public trust in the agency and future coronavirus vaccines, experts said.

Two prominent former agency leaders, David Kessler, who served as FDA commissioner under Republican President George HW Bush and Democratic...

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
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from US FDA

US FDA Teases Disclosure Program, But Industry Has Seen This Before

 
• By Derrick Gingery

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director Vinay Prasad said Commissioner Martin Makary wants to release previously inaccessible FDA documents, but previous commissioners have made the same pronouncements only to make little progress.

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

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith and Derrick Gingery

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.

US FDA May Consolidate Support Services After Extensive Cuts

 
• By Derrick Gingery and Sue Sutter

Commissioner Martin Makary told staff that plans are being developed to centralize HR, IT, travel and other functions, which were heavily impacted by the 1 April reduction-in-force.

US FDA’s Rising First-Cycle Complete Response Rate Draws Congress’ Attention

 
• By Sue Sutter

The House Appropriations Committee wants an analysis of how issues that led to CRLs could have been resolved within the first review cycle and seeks an agency crackdown on counterfeit GLP-1 agonists.

More from Agency Leadership

ACIP Upheaval Leaves Merck & Co. In A Lurch

 
• By Jessica Merrill and Bridget Silverman

Merck’s newly approved Enflonsia for RSV is one of the products expected to be recommended for use by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices later this month.

US FDA Chief Counsel Position Awaits HHS General Counsel Confirmation

 
• By Sue Sutter

Robert Foster, HHS deputy general counsel and chief counsel for food, research and drugs, is temporarily heading the Office of Chief Counsel, but a permanent appointee is expected after Michael Stuart's confirmation as HHS general counsel.

HHS Secretary Favors Regenerative Medicine Over Traditional Pharma: Blessing And Curse?

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Cell and gene therapy developers may not have to contend with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s animosity like the traditional pharma industry, but his disinterest in distinguishing between the good and bad actors in the space could backfire.