Overview
- Dr. Richard Pazdur, the FDA’s longtime oncology chief and founder of the Oncology Center of Excellence, was appointed to direct the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
- Pazdur will continue running the Oncology Center of Excellence until a successor is selected, according to the agency.
- He succeeds Dr. George Tidmarsh, who left after federal ethics lawyers began reviewing serious concerns about his conduct, as a lawsuit from Aurinia Pharmaceuticals alleged misuse of office; Tidmarsh has denied wrongdoing.
- Commissioner Marty Makary’s agenda now falls to Pazdur, including a new voucher program targeting one‑ to two‑month reviews for drugs designated as national priorities, far faster than the previous six‑month best case.
- The drug center faces operational strain, with agency figures showing more than 1,000 staff departures over the past year and ongoing debate over accelerated approvals that rely on early cancer trial endpoints.