Former FDA head takes place on Pfizer board
Pfizer has appointed former US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Scott Gottlieb to its board.
Gottlieb resigned as FDA commissioner earlier this year, citing a desire to spend more time with his wife and children.
The former physician served as a member of US President Donald Trump’s transition team following Trump’s election in November 2016. Trump then appointed Gottlieb to head the FDA in May 2017.
During his tenure, Gottlieb prioritised bringing more generic and biosimilar versions of drugs to market, as well as lowering drug prices.
No permanent successor at the FDA has yet been appointed. Former National Cancer Institute director Ned Sharpless has served as acting commissioner since April 5.
Gottlieb will now sit on Pfizer’s board of directors, as well as its regulatory and compliance, and science and technology committees.
Ian Read, executive chairman at Pfizer, said that Gottlieb’s “expertise in health care, public policy and the industry will be an asset to our company and enable our shareholders to continue to benefit from a board representing a balance of experience, competencies and perspectives”.
Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s CEO, added that the former FDA commissioner had “continually demonstrated an understanding of both patients’ needs and the rapidly changing dynamics of biopharmaceutical research and development”.
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