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FDA Reinstates Dr. Vinay Prasad as Biologics Chief Less Than Two Weeks After Resignation

HHS confirms he will lead vaccine and gene therapy reviews following pressure from Commissioner Marty Makary

Overview

  • The FDA requested Prasad’s return to lead the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said on August 9.
  • He resigned on July 30 after facing criticism from right-wing activist Laura Loomer and other conservative voices and citing a desire to avoid distracting the agency and spend time with his family.
  • Marty Makary appointed Prasad in May, praised his scientific rigor, and publicly urged him to reconsider his resignation.
  • Prasad’s tenure featured stricter COVID-19 vaccine guidelines, including overruling agency reviewers to curb Moderna and Novavax shot authorizations.
  • He oversaw a temporary halt of Sarepta’s Elevidys gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy over safety concerns before authorizing its shipment resumption on July 28.