New FDA Drug Director Appointment Announced, FDA Commissioner Role Remains Open

Patricia Cavazzoni will serve as director of the US Food & Drug Administration’s CDER (Center for Drug Evaluation and Research). It also opens the door for former director Janet Woodcock to be nominated for the role of FDA Commissioner as the Biden administration continues to consider candidates for the positioin.

“Cavazzoni has a blend of academic, industry and government experience, however. She joined the FDA after 17 years working in various roles for Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Pfizer. Before that, she was an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa’s medical school, where she treated and researched mood disorders.” Read more here.

(Sources: Johnathan Gardner, BioPharma Dive, 4/12/21; Thomas Burton, The Wall Street Journal, 4/14/21)