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Woodcock To Be Acting US FDA Commissioner, Leaving Agency in Stable, Capable Hands

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Agency has been prepping Woodcock for the temporary task but what will happen to her role on Operation Warp Speed remains unclear. The move should give Biden team cushion to confirm a permanent leader of whom a top contender is former senior FDA staffer Joshua Sharfstein, a proponent of drug reforms that may irk manufacturers.

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Janet Woodcock will take over as acting commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration upon Stephen Hahn’s departure on 20 January following the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, leaving the agency in the hands of a career veteran who has already been a lead player in the COVID-19 response.

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HHS’ Kennedy Warns US FDA Staff Against ‘Agency Capture’ By Industry, Special Interests

 
• By Sue Sutter

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged FDA staff to resist the “deep state” and “crony capitalism,” and focus on improving the health of America’s children. “You're not here to take orders,” he said and urged FDA staff to speak up if they see wrongdoing.

US FDA Allows Telework For Reviewers As Companies Detail Layoff-Related Problems

 
• By Derrick Gingery

The new telework policy returns to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic standard, but still requires reviewers to be at White Oak for sponsor meetings and divisions to have an in-office presence every day.

Kennedy’s Comments On Novavax Delay Scientifically, Legally Inaccurate, Experts Say

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

The HHS Secretary publicly acknowledged the unusual delay of Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine licensure, but his justification was neither scientifically accurate nor legally justifiable, experts said.

US FDA Rare Disease Innovation Hub’s Goals Align With Trump, Leader Says

 
• By Sue Sutter

The hub’s goals of efficiency, centralization and coordination fit with the Trump Administration’s current focus for the FDA, Amy Comstock Rick, director of strategic coalitions, told the Biopharma Congress.

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US FDA Rare Disease Innovation Hub’s Goals Align With Trump, Leader Says

 
• By Sue Sutter

The hub’s goals of efficiency, centralization and coordination fit with the Trump Administration’s current focus for the FDA, Amy Comstock Rick, director of strategic coalitions, told the Biopharma Congress.

Trump’s US FDA Takeover Similar To Flat Earth Proponents Running NASA, Woodcock Says

 
• By Sue Sutter

The former principal deputy commissioner said the “decapitation” of senior leadership will make resolving internal disputes more difficult, which will slow application reviews. Woodcock also called the FDA layoffs a slow-moving catastrophe.

US FDA Center Directors Are Political Now

 
• By Michael McCaughan

The forced departure of CBER Director Peter Marks is a milestone event for the agency, as center directors now are likely to be treated as political positions subject to change with each new administration.