Nielsen Hobbs

Nielsen Hobbs

Editor-in-Chief, Pink Sheet

Washington, DC

Nielsen has been covering the pharmaceutical industry most of his life, reporting on everything from ANDAs to Zika vaccines. He strongly believes that the user fee system needs to stop using Roman numerals. His favorite stories are ones that help readers understand the personalities and policies that dictate whether their regulatory strategy succeeds or fails. A regular contributor to the Pink Sheet podcast, he also creates infographics and editorial feature images for articles. Before joining Pink Sheet he worked for Congressional Quarterly. Nielsen frequently moderates webinars and panels at industry conferences, and enjoys discussing R2-D2 almost as much as he enjoys talking about 351(k).

Latest from Nielsen Hobbs

Pink Sheet Podcast: US FDA’s Private Pharma CEO Tour, HHS Changes COVID-19 Vaccine Advice

Pink Sheet reporter and editors consider the issues that could emerge during upcoming private FDA forums with pharma CEOs, as well as the impact of the surprising move by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to limit the CDC recommendation for annual COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

Pink Sheet Podcast: US FDA’s Big Vaccine Policy Week

Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss the new clinical trial requirements that the FDA announced for COVID-19 vaccines, the updated label for Novavax’s newly approved COVID-19 vaccine, and other vaccine-related events that were part of a busy week for policy in the sector.

Pink Sheet Podcast: A New Director For US FDA’s Biologics Center, Guidance Production Slowdowns

Pink Sheet editors discuss the appointment of Vinay Prasad as the new director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and revelations that FDA layoffs now are hindering development of guidance documents.

Pink Sheet Podcast: Vaccine Review Political Interference, Missed Deadlines A Harbinger Of US FDA Problems?

Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss FDA Commissioner Martin Makary’s decision to have one of his assistants lead negotiations for Novavax’s delayed COVID-19 vaccine review, as well as some recent missed review deadlines, which may be the result of recent FDA cuts.

How Tumult At US FDA Could Impact Merger and Acquisition Strategy

With review and development uncertainly increasing, "it’s going to take longer for certain targets … to progress to a place where they’ve been derisked enough that big pharma is ready to write a big check," said Andrew Goodman of Paul Hastings.

Pink Sheet Podcast: Understanding The US FDA Reduction-In-Force And Its Long-Term Impact

Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss how the massive layoffs will reshape the FDA and its impact on the drug and biologics industries.