Former FDA Official Patrizia Cavazzoni Joins Pfizer as Chief Medical Officer

Pfizer, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, has announced the appointment of Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., as its new Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President. This move comes just weeks after Cavazzoni's departure from her role as director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

Leadership Transition at Pfizer

Cavazzoni will succeed Aida Habtezion, M.D., who has served as Pfizer's Chief Medical Officer and head of worldwide medical and safety for four years. In her new role, Cavazzoni will report to Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Pfizer's recently promoted Chief Scientific Officer and head of R&D.

This appointment is part of a series of leadership changes at Pfizer, following the retirement of former R&D head and Chief Scientific Officer Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D., in November. The company has also recently selected Jeffrey Legos, Ph.D., from Novartis to replace interim Chief Oncology Officer Roger Dansey, M.D.

Cavazzoni's Background and New Responsibilities

Dr. Cavazzoni brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors. Before her tenure at the FDA, she held leadership positions at several pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi. During her time at Pfizer, she led clinical sciences and development operations across multiple senior positions.

At the FDA, Cavazzoni oversaw regulatory and policy decisions for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, with a focus on advancing public health initiatives. In her new role at Pfizer, she will lead the company's regulatory, pharmacovigilance, safety, epidemiology, and medical information and evidence generation efforts.

Industry Implications and Potential Scrutiny

Cavazzoni's move from the FDA to Pfizer has reignited discussions about the "revolving door" between regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. This transition comes at a time of increased scrutiny of such moves, particularly under the new administration of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has prioritized addressing conflicts of interest in health agencies.

While there are existing rules governing how former FDA employees can interact with the agency after moving to industry positions, including "cooling-off" periods, the appointment may face additional scrutiny. This comes in the context of recent major cuts across several federal health agencies, including the FDA, resulting in thousands of layoffs.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, Cavazzoni's appointment highlights the ongoing interchange of expertise between regulatory bodies and private sector companies, raising questions about the balance between industry knowledge and regulatory independence.