Mass Exodus at Federal Health Agencies Continues as FDA's CBER Deputy Director Departs

The pharmaceutical industry is witnessing a significant shake-up in federal health agency leadership, with the latest departure coming from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Celia Witten, Deputy Director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), has left her position, adding to a growing list of high-profile exits since President Donald Trump began his second term in office.

Wave of Departures Hits FDA and NIH

Dr. Witten's departure is part of a broader trend of senior officials leaving key health agencies. The FDA has seen several other notable exits, including:

• Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, former CBER chief
• Troy Tazbaz, former director of the AI-focused Digital Health Center of Excellence
• Dr. Ross Segan, former head of medical device safety

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has not been spared from this exodus. Dr. Michael Lauer, Deputy Director for Extramural Research, has left his position, while Dr. Larry Tabak, Principal Deputy Director, retired on February 11, 2025.

Trump Administration's Impact on Health Agencies

The mass departures coincide with the Trump administration's implementation of widespread layoffs across the Department of Health and Human Services. This move has raised concerns about the continuity of leadership and expertise within crucial health agencies.

In a related development, Dr. Renee Wegrzyn was removed from her position as director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), further underscoring the sweeping changes occurring within the federal health sector.

Implications for the Pharmaceutical Industry

These leadership changes at the FDA and NIH are likely to have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry. The loss of experienced officials may impact ongoing regulatory processes, research initiatives, and the overall direction of these agencies. Industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, as the stability and expertise of federal health agencies play a crucial role in drug development, approval processes, and public health initiatives.

As the pharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, the industry awaits further information on potential replacements and the long-term effects of this leadership exodus on drug regulation and biomedical research in the United States.