Richard Pazdur, a longtime FDA official who is the founding director of its Oncology Center for Excellence, has been chosen to lead the powerful Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
He replaces George Tidmarsh, who resigned earlier this month after the HHS Inspector General launched an investigation over comments he made about an Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUPH) drug.
“Dr. Pazdur is a true regulatory innovator who will help guide our broader agenda to modernize the agency and streamline the approval process,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a statement.
Pazdur was responsible for improving coordination across FDA centers to review new oncology therapies, accelerating new treatments to markets. He also spearheaded several initiatives that streamlined oncology drug approvals, access, and labeling.
Pazdur is also the author of two medical oncology textbooks and over 800 articles, book chapters, and abstracts.
He will remain as director of the Oncology Center of Excellence pending his replacement.
