Sweeping FDA Changes Could Have “Disastrous Consequences” For Biotech Investment

Lowering the bar on drug approval standards would create a challenging environment for biotech investors, warned Jonathan Leff, a partner at the health care investment firm Deerfield, during the BIO CEO & Investor Conference.

Deerfield partner Jonathan Leff issued a serious warning to the biotech industry during a policy panel at the BIO CEO & Investor Conference Feb. 14, declaring that sweeping changes to FDA’s drug approval standards under a new administration and a new commissioner could have “disastrous consequences” for biotech investment.

“FDA as we know it has been about regulating the efficacy as well as the safety of drugs,” Leff said....