With a new administration comes a fresh wave of changes at the FDA, bringing shifts in leadership, policy priorities, and regulatory approaches. These adjustments will impact a wide range of industries, from medical devices and pharmaceuticals to tobacco, cosmetics, and food. This timeline will serve as a living document, tracking key updates, regulatory changes, and agency directives in real time, helping stakeholders stay informed and prepared for what’s ahead.

Check back regularly for the latest developments as the new FDA takes shape.

May 22, 2025 | FDA and CBP Seize Nearly $34 Million in Illegal E-Cigarettes During Joint Operation 

On May 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in an official press release that they conducted a joint initiative with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that led to the seizure of nearly two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products in Chicago, with an estimated retail value of $33.8 million. The seizures, which occurred in February of this year, were part of a joint federal operation to examine incoming shipments and prevent illegal e-cigarettes from entering the country.

Per the release, “during this operation, the team uncovered shipments of various illegal e-cigarette products, almost all of which originated in China and were intended for shipment to various U.S. states. FDA and CBP personnel determined that, in an apparent attempt to evade duties and the review of products for import safety concerns, many of these unauthorized e-cigarette shipments contained vague product descriptions with incorrect values. Upon examining shipments, the team found several brands of unauthorized e-cigarettes, including Snoopy Smoke, Raz, and others.”

May 20, 2025 | FDA Names Elizabeth Miller Pharm.D. Acting Associate Commissioner – Office of Inspections and Investigations 

According to the biography listed on the FDA website, Dr. Miller most recently served as Deputy Associate Commissioner for Medical Products, overseeing OII’s Medical Products Inspectorate. Combined with her prior position as the Assistant Commissioner for Medical Products and Tobacco Operations, Dr. Miller has managed large volumes of FDA inspections relating to drugs, medical devices, biologics, bioresearch monitoring, and tobacco products. Her extensive background includes executive leadership at U.S. Pharmacopeia, where she helped shape regulatory science collaboration, public policy, and governmental affairs while working alongside federal agencies, industry leaders, and international regulators.

May 20, 2025 | FDA Names Dr. Bret Koplow as Head of Center for Tobacco Products

Today the FDA announced they have named Dr. Bret Koplow as the new head of the Agency’s Center for Tobacco Products. Dr. Koplow had served as Senior Counselor to the Commissioner in the Immediate Office of the Commissioner since early 2020, where he has focused principally on regulatory, policy, and operational matters involving CTP, including work on e-cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products. Before joining the Commissioner’s Immediate Office, he served as Senior Counsel in the FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel, and before that he served in the FDA’s Office of Legislation as the Senior Advisor for Oversight.

In this position, Dr. Koplow is responsible for assuring that CTP accomplishes its public health goals and for operationalizing the Center’s vision and mission as it implements the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

May 16, 2025 | FDA Clears First Blood Test Used in Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared for marketing the first in vitro diagnostic device that tests blood to aid in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. The Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio is for the early detection of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease in adult patients, aged 55 years and older, exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease. The new test provides a less invasive option to current methods, reducing reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.

May 15, 2025 | FDA Announces Post-Market Chemical Review Program for Chemicals Used in U.S. Food Supply

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is implementing a more structured and transparent system to review the safety of chemicals already used in the U.S. food supply. This marks a shift from the agency’s previous approach, which primarily relied on responding to individual petitions or new scientific findings.

Key actions the FDA plans to take include:

  • Developing a modernized, evidence-based method to prioritize which food chemicals to review.

  • Establishing a systematic post-market review process, which will be informed by public and stakeholder input.

  • Updating the list of chemicals under review, with specific focus on substances such as BHT, BHA, ADA, phthalates, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide.

  • Committing to greater transparency by regularly sharing updates on the FDA’s public website.

These efforts are part of a broader initiative to enhance oversight of food chemicals. Recent related steps by the FDA include:

  • Announcing the planned phase-out of petroleum-based synthetic dyes.

  • Considering changes to the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) process, potentially ending the practice of companies independently declaring substances safe without FDA review.

The goal of the initiative is to strengthen food safety oversight through proactive, science-based policies that improve public trust and support informed consumer choices.

May 13, 2025 | FDA to Remove Ingestible Fluoride Prescription Drug Products for Children from the Market 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that it is initiating action to remove concentrated ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the market. Unlike toothpaste with fluoride or fluoride rinses, the products the agency will be taking action against are meant to be swallowed and ingested.

The agency has set a goal date of October 31, 2025 for completing a safety review and public comment period and for taking appropriate action regarding removal of these products from the market.

May 13, 2025 | HHS/FDA Initiate Comprehensive Review of Infant Formula 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the next steps in Operation Stork Speed, an initiative to ensure the safety, reliability, and nutritional adequacy of infant formula. The FDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) to begin the nutrient review process required by law for infant formula. Currently, infant formula must meet minimum and maximum levels of certain nutrients. While the FDA regularly reviews individual nutrient requirements for infant formula, this will be the first comprehensive review since 1998.

Through the RFI, the FDA is seeking public input to help determine whether existing nutrient requirements should be revised based on the latest scientific data, including international. The agency also welcomes data on potential adjustments to existing minimum or maximum levels, recommendations for additional nutrients to consider, and how such changes may improve health outcomes.

Commenters will have 120 days to submit responses. Further information on how to submit a comment can be found here.

May 13, 2025 | HHS/FDA Issue RFI on Deregulatory Plan 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the launch of a public Request for Information (RFI) to identify and eliminate outdated or unnecessary regulations. The initiative is part of a broader federal effort to reduce regulatory burdens in alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order 14192. 

In their press release, HHS stated that under the Executive Order, HHS will implement the following measures:

  • The 10-to-1 rule: For every new regulation introduced, at least ten existing regulations must be eliminated.
  • Regulatory cost cap: The total cost of all new regulations in fiscal year 2025 must be significantly less than zero.
  • Expanded scope: The order applies not only to formal regulations but also to guidance documents, memoranda, policy statements, and similar directives.
  • Radical transparency: HHS will publish annual reports detailing estimated regulatory costs and the specific rules being offset, promoting greater transparency and accountability.

May 12, 2025 | Trump Signs Executive Order to Reduce Prescription Drug Prices for American Consumers

On May 12, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients”. The presidential action outlines a policy directing federal agencies to ensure Americans do not pay more for prescription drugs than the lowest price available in other economically comparable countries (a “most-favored-nation” price). It emphasizes lowering drug prices through direct-to-consumer models, international trade negotiations, and executive coordination to stop U.S. consumers from subsidizing foreign drug markets. The primary actions outlined in this policy include:

Most-Favored-Nation Pricing Standard
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that American consumers do not pay more for prescription drugs than the “most-favored-nation price,” defined as the lowest price charged in an OECD country with comparable per-capita GDP.

Direct Purchase Mechanisms
Instructs the HHS Secretary to consider actions that allow patients to purchase prescription drugs directly from manufacturers at or below the most-favored-nation price.

Trade and Commerce Review
Calls on the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to identify foreign government policies that pressure manufacturers to provide artificially low prices abroad, shifting disproportionate costs to U.S. consumers, and to recommend appropriate actions.

Coordination Across Agencies
Requires coordination between HHS, Commerce, USTR, and other relevant federal agencies to support the implementation of the policy objectives.

May 9, 2025 | NIH & FDA Announce Launch of New Joint “Nutrition Regulatory Science Program”

Under the new Nutrition Regulatory Science Program, the FDA and NIH will launch a comprehensive research initiative to inform effective food and nutrition policy. The FDA will contribute regulatory science expertise, while the NIH will manage research solicitation, review, and oversight. According to the agencies, this cross-disciplinary effort will involve experts in chronic disease, nutrition, toxicology, risk analysis, behavioral science, and chemistry. While a formal research agenda has yet to be established, both organizations have emphasized their commitment to conducting fair, independent, and conflict-free research.

May 9, 2025 | FDA Approves Three Food Colors From Natural Sources

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it granted three new color additive petitions that will expand the palette of available colors from natural sources for manufacturers to safely use in food.

The color additive petitions approved are for:

  • Galdieria extract, a blue color derived from the unicellular red algae Galdieria sulphuraria. The FDA has approved the color additive for use in nonalcoholic beverages and beverage bases, fruit drinks, fruit smoothies, fruit juices, vegetable juices, dairy-based smoothies, milk shakes and flavored milks, yogurt drinks, milk-based meal replacement and nutritional beverages, breakfast cereal coatings, hard candy, soft candy and chewing gum, flavored frostings, ice cream and frozen dairy desserts, frozen fruits, water ices and popsicles, gelatin desserts, puddings and custards, and whipped cream, yogurt, frozen or liquid creamers (including non-dairy alternatives), and whipped toppings (including non-dairy alternatives). The petition was submitted by the French company Fermentalg.
  • Butterfly pea flower extract, a blue color that can be used to achieve a range of shades including bright blues, intense purple, and natural greens. Produced through the water extraction of the dried flower petals of the butterfly pea plant, this color additive is already approved for use in sport drinks, fruit drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, alcoholic beverages, dairy drinks, ready to drink teas, nutritional beverages, gums, candy, coated nuts, ice creams, and yogurt. Today’s approval of a petition by St. Louis-based Sensient Colors LLC expands the approved use for coloring ready-to-eat cereals, crackers, snack mixes, hard pretzels, plain potato chips (restructured or baked), plain corn chips, tortilla chips, and multigrain chips.
  • Calcium phosphate, a white color approved for use in ready-to-eat chicken products, white candy melts, doughnut sugar, and sugar for coated candies. The petition was filed by Innophos Inc. of Cranbury, New Jersey.

May 7, 2025 | FDA Announces Completion of First AI-Assisted Scientific Review Pilot and Aggressive Agency-Wide AI Rollout Timeline

FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary, today announced an aggressive timeline to scale use of artificial intelligence (AI) internally across all FDA centers by June 30, 2025, following the completion of a new generative AI pilot for scientific reviewers. Dr. Makary has directed all FDA centers to begin deployment immediately, with the goal of full integration by the end of June. Work will continue to expand use cases, improve functionality and adapt to the evolving needs of each center after June 30. By that date, all centers will be operating on a common, secure generative AI system integrated with FDA’s internal data platforms.

May 6, 2025 | FDA Announces Expanded Use of Unannounced Inspections at Foreign Manufacturing Facilities

While FDA commissioner Dr. Marty Makary had previously touched on this initiative in his interview with Megyn Kelly a few weeks ago, the agency has today formally announced their intent to expand the use of announced inspections at foreign manufacturing facilities of food, medicine, and medical products intended for American consumers. This change builds upon the agency’s Office of Inspection and Investigations Foreign Unannounced Inspection Pilot program in India and China and aims to ensure that foreign companies will receive the same level of regulatory oversight and scrutiny as domestic companies.  In addition, the FDA will evaluate the agency’s policies and practices for improvements to the foreign inspection program.

May 6, 2025 | FDA Names First AI Chief

Jeremy Walsh announced on Linkedin that he is starting a new position as Head of IT and AI at the U.S. FDA, a newly developed position at the agency. Politico reports that Walsh comes from the government contractor Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked for 14 years and was chief technologist, building out cloud networks and data analytics systems for the agencies the firm works with. His work included contracts with the FDA, the CDC, the NIH, Veterans Affairs and military health services.

May 6, 2025 | FDA Commissioner Selects Dr. Vinay Prasad to Head CBER

Today FDA commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced his pick for Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) as Dr. Vinay Prasad.

Dr. Prasad is a hematologist-oncologist and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California San Francisco, is recognized for his critical perspectives on pharmaceutical industry practices and certain public health policies, including skepticism about COVID-19 vaccine mandates for children. His appointment has elicited mixed reactions: some stakeholders express concern over potential regulatory tightening and its impact on vaccine approvals, while others, including FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, commend his commitment to scientific rigor and independent analysis.

May 5, 2025 | Trump Signs Executive Order to Increase U.S. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

On May 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at bolstering domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing by reducing regulatory barriers and expediting facility approvals. The order directs the FDA to streamline approval processes for domestic plants and increase oversight of foreign manufacturing facilities, including implementing more frequent surprise inspections and higher fees.

The Environmental Protection Agency is also instructed to expedite the permitting process for constructing facilities that produce prescription drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources for essential medical supplies, citing national security concerns.

Industry responses have been mixed. While some pharmaceutical companies, like Bristol Myers Squibb, have announced significant investments in U.S. manufacturing in response to these policy shifts, others express concern over potential disruptions to the global supply chain. 

The executive order represents a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. Its long-term impact on the industry and global supply chains will depend on its implementation and the response from various stakeholders.

May 5, 2025 | In Reversal, FDA Rehiring Some Staff Affected by Earlier Mass Layoffs

Multiple reports have been posted over the past few days of instances where the Agency has begun sending out notices to previously terminated employees, rescinding those terminations and reinstating their employment, effective immediately.

Workers who process records about medical device and tobacco regulation under the Freedom of Information Act received notices from an FDA official May 1 that they were no longer being fired as part of the department’s mass layoffs. Also on May 1, it was reported that the Agency would be reinstating more than 20 of the agency’s roughly 60 travel staff that had been previously terminated; these employees had been responsible for handling travel bookings for FDA safety inspectors. Additionally, on May 5, it was reported that the agency is rehiring at least one user fee negotiator and nine other employees who supported user fee processes, according to two anonymous sources familiar with the matter.

May 1, 2025 | HHS/NIH Launch Next Generation Universal Vaccine Platform for Pandemic-Prone Viruses 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes for Health (NIH) today announced the development of the next-generation, universal vaccine platform, Generation Gold Standard, using a beta-propiolactone (BPL)-inactivated, whole-virus platform.

This initiative funds the NIH’s in-house development of universal influenza and coronavirus vaccines, including candidates BPL-1357 and BPL-24910. These vaccines aim to provide broad-spectrum protection against multiple strains of pandemic-prone viruses like H5N1 avian influenza and coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS-CoV.

Clinical trials for universal influenza vaccines are scheduled to begin in 2026, with FDA approval targeted for 2029. The intranasal BPL-1357 flu vaccine, currently in advanced trials, is also on track for FDA review by 2029.

April 30, 2025 | FDA to Require Placebo Testing for All New Vaccines

The US Department of Health and Human Services said it will require that all new vaccines be tested in placebo-controlled trials before they’re licensed for use. “Under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, all new vaccines will undergo safety testing in placebo-controlled trials prior to licensure—a radical departure from past practices,” the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said in a statement to CNN.

April 30, 2025 | FDA Names Craig Taylor as Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO)

“Craig Taylor has been named the Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In this role Mr. Taylor sets and leads the agency’s Information Technology (IT) strategy, as well as the agency’s enterprise IT, data management, and cybersecurity within the Office of Digital Transformation. Prior to being named acting CIO, Mr. Taylor served as the FDA’s Chief Information Security Officer, since 2015, directing and leading the FDA Cybersecurity, Counterintelligence, and Insider Threat Program to ensure security controls are appropriately applied to FDA IT systems to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and sensitive information.” – FDA.gov/about-fda

April 30, 2025 | Dr. Timothy Schell Named FDA Acting Director for the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) 

“Timothy C. Schell, Ph.D., is the Acting Director for the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. CVM regulates animal food, drugs, and devices, including those intended for pets as well as the animals that produce the meat, milk and eggs for human consumption. Most recently, Dr. Schell led CVM’s Office of Surveillance and Compliance”. FDA.gov/about-fda

April 30, 2025 | Lowell Zeta Named FDA Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives 

“Lowell M. Zeta, J.D., has been named as Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mr. Zeta is responsible for collaborating with the FDA Commissioner to identify opportunities to improve regulatory programs, to develop innovative strategies to emerging and ongoing issues, and to implement new programs and solutions to achieve the FDA’s mission objectives. He works closely with FDA senior leadership and provides executive oversight for operations and regulatory process improvements associated with drugs and biologics, devices and diagnostics, veterinary medicine, human foods, and tobacco products. His responsibilities include driving change, overseeing change management, and ensuring the alignment of the key functions of strategy planning. He serves as the point-person to assess whether strategic initiatives, at all levels of the organization, are in line with the Commissioner’s priorities and the broader goals of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration.” – FDA.gov/about-fda

April 29, 2025 | FDA Has No Plan to Reorganize Product Sectors. Makary Says in Interview “I Rejected That Proposal” 

In an exclusive interview with Inside Medicine, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary was asked if there were any plans for reorganization within the FDA centers. Makary responded “No. There will not be a reorganization. Yes, we are consolidating travel offices, IT, and some other things that make sense for efficiency, but nothing else is planned. A proposal for reorganization came from some staff, but I rejected that proposal.”

April 29, 2025 | FDA Commissioner Says They Are Looking at Whether They Will Approve Covid-19 Vaccines for Next Winter

In a recent CBS Interview, Dr. Makary commented on the delay of the Novavax COVID-19 non-MRNA vaccine, currently delayed from its original target date for permanent approval of April 1. Makary mentioned outdated data as one of the reasons for the delay, stating the last study the agency has that shows a clinical benefit for this product was in 2021, and the study excluded individuals with prior COVID-19 infection, which does not properly reflect the state of the general US population in 2025. Makary stated he felt that, for not just COVID vaccines but for drugs in general, the agency should reevaluate if these products are still effective today under the US’s current conditions, and that evaluation needs to be seen before the agency would be comfortable recommending these products for public use. When asked if the agency would be approved COVID-19 booster shots for next winter, Makary responded that he would not comment on any particular application, but they would be “taking a look”, further saying he needs to see “good data” rather than “opinions” to fully make this decision.

April 28, 2025 | HHS/NIH Posts First Two SBIR Solicitations Since Grant Freeze in January

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with the National Institute of Health today published two official solicitations for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding opportunities. These are the first two solicitations the agency has published since January of this year.

Topics include:

April 22, 2025 | HHS to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply.

The FDA is taking the following actions:

  1. Establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.
  2. Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.
  3. Working with industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes—FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—from the food supply by the end of next year.
  4. Authorizing four new natural color additives in the coming weeks, while also accelerating the review and approval of others.
  5. Partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on how food additives impact children’s health and development.
  6. Requesting food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027-2028 deadline previously required.

April 22, 2025 | Reports Claim Dr. Marty Makary Announced Three New Hires in FDA Leadership Team

According to an email reportedly sent to FDA staff on Monday, the new arrivals include Lowell Zeta as Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives; Timothy Schell as Acting Director for the Center for Veterinary Medicine; and Craig Taylor as the Acting Chief Information Officer. The FDA website has not yet been updated to confirm this report.

Update: On April 30, 2025, FDA’s website was updated, confirming this report.

April 19, 2025 | Dr. Marty Makary Announces Increase in Inspections for Overseas Manufacturers and Future Changes to Pharmaceutical Advertising

Today a bonus segment was released from Dr. Makary’s interview with the Megyn Kelly Show. In the segment, Dr. Makary announced the FDA’s plan to increase inspection teams of foreign manufacturers, especially manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, as well as increase the number of unscheduled, surprise inspections of those manufacturing facilities.

Additionally, Makary mentioned the Agency is “looking into” drug advertisements on television, specifically at how the infromation is presented. He said that while the Agency has no plan to outright ban TV advertising for pharmaceuticals, they are exploring additional regulations to ensure the information presented provides consumers with the “full picture”.

April 18, 2025 | Dr. Lilliam Rosario, Director of CDER’s Office of Computational Science, Announces Departure from FDA

Today on Linkedin, Dr. Lilliam Rosario announced her departure from the Agency. In her announcement, Dr. Rosario stated “After almost 25 years at the FDA, I have made the difficult decision to step away. My final day with the Agency was April 18. While this marks the end of my role at the FDA, I remain committed to the principles and collaborations that have defined my time at FDA. More than ever, we must be stewards to the principles of science.”

April 18, 2025 | FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Shares Agency Insights and Policy Updates in Interview with Megyn Kelly

In an interview with Megyn Kelly, Dr. Makary provided insights into his priorities for the agency and policy shifts under the new administration:

  • Policy Update: Dr. Markary announced a new policy intended to limit conflicts of interest within pharmaceutical review boards. While Dr. Makary noted that industry’s feedback and input is important, he emphasised “the scientific evaluation needs to be independent”. Under the new policy, FDA intends to remove pharmaceutical industry members from FDA Advisory Committees and replace them “whenever statatoraly possible with patients and family caregivers”. Industry represnetatives will still be invited to advisory committees, but will “sit with the rest of the public”.
  • Agency Priorities:
    • Addressing Chronic Diseases and Public Health: He emphasized the need to tackle the rise of chronic diseases in the U.S., advocating for a shift from merely treating symptoms with medications to addressing underlying causes, including examining root causes for conditions such as autism and diabetes.
    • Promoting an Apolitical FDA: Dr. Makary stressed that public health should transcend political affiliations. He highlighted initiatives like revising nutrition guidelines and evaluating food additives as nonpartisan efforts aimed at enhancing public health, and noted that we could expect action on this in the coming weeks.
    • Expediting Review Processes: He also highlighted the importance of expediting the process of approving medications that can help treat chonic conditions in cases where medication is necessary, touching on removing burdensome requirements, such as animal testing, to speed up the approval process. He also mentioned they would be bringing in a team to introduce Ai into the review process to streamline Reviewer workflows and streamline the review process.
  • Insights Into Staff Cuts: Dr. Makary said there are no further plans for mass staff cuts to the agency, noting that in the previous cuts were focused around reducing staff in administrative areas and “there were no cuts to scientists, reviewers, inspectors, or law enforcement at the FDA and my goal is to make sure that all of those people have the resources they need to do their job well”.

April 17, 2025 | FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Announces New Policy on Individuals Serving on FDA Advisory Committees

Today the FDA issued a press release, announcing a policy directive that limits individuals employed at companies regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, such as pharmaceutical companies, from serving as official members on FDA advisory committees, where statutorily allowed. As part of this effort, the agency will prioritize and elevate the role of patients and caregivers, strengthening the voices of their communities.

Today’s action will not preclude employees of regulated companies from attending or presenting their views at advisory committee meetings or serving as representative members of the committee when required by statute. Also, exceptions can be made in rare circumstances (i.e., when the scientific expertise in an area is only available from an employee of an FDA-regulated company) provided that the official strictly complies with the applicable ethics requirements.

By limiting employees of FDA-regulated companies from serving as officials, the FDA aims to boost public trust in its decisions and improve how its advisory committees operate.

April 15, 2025 | FDA Names Grace Graham as Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs.

In this role, Grace Graham will lead the Office of Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs (OPLIA), which serves as the FDA’s focal point for engagement with the U.S. Congress, the Administration, global counterparts and partners, and state, local, territorial, and tribal policymakers.

April 11, 2025 | FDA Welcomed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to FDA Campus

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration welcomed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to its headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, a visit that included remarks to FDA employees, meetings with agency leadership, and a tour of several medical device innovation laboratories on the FDA’s White Oak campus.

April 10, 2025 | FDA Announces Plan to Phase Out Animal Testing Requirement for Monoclonal Antibodies and Other Drugs

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking a groundbreaking step to advance public health by replacing animal testing in the development of monoclonal antibody therapies and other drugs with more effective, human-relevant methods. The new approach is designed to improve drug safety and accelerate the evaluation process, while reducing animal experimentation, lowering research and development (R&D) costs, and ultimately, drug prices.

April 2, 2025 | FDA Names Dr. Scott Steele as Acting Director – Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)

On April 2, the FDA named Scott Steele Ph.D. as the new Acting Director of CBER following Dr. Peter Marks’ resignation. Dr. Steele moved into this executive role after serving as Senior Advisor for Translational Science in CBER’s Office of Center Director where he advanced horizon scanning and translational science programs, external partnerships, and policy initiatives in areas such as artificial intelligence and cellular and gene therapies.

April 2, 2025 | FDA Officially Welcomes Dr. Marty Makary as 27th Commissioner in First Public Address to Staff

On April 2, the FDA welcomed Dr. Marty Makary as the 27th commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. In Dr. Makary’s first public address to staff, he stated his goal is to ensure the FDA upholds the gold standard of trusted science, transparency and common sense to rebuild public trust and advance health and safety in the US and around the world.

April 2, 2025 | Supreme Court Rules in Favor of FDA in its Dispute Over Non-Tobacco Flavored ENDS Products

Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled to throw out a federal appeals court ruling that found the agency unlawfully changed the rules in the middle of proceedings when it was deciding whether to approve various tobacco harm reduction products. Writing on behalf of the unanimous court, Justice Samuel Alito stopped short of ruling definitively on one particular aspect of the case: whether the agency should have considered the companies’ marketing plans as part of the approval process. This remaining issue has been directed to be decided by a lower court.

Ultimately, this ruling may not be the final word in the case and the FDA could change its approach under the new administration, especially in light of President Donald Trump’s promise to “save” this product category.

April 1, 2025 | Matthew Farrelly, Director of Science at CTP, Reassigned

Today Matthew Farrelly, Director of Science at the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), announced on Linkedin that he has been reassigned outside of CTP as part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) restructuring, and will now be working elsewhere within HHS.

April 1, 2025 | The US Senate HELP Committee Formally Requests RFK Jr. to Speak at Hearing Regarding HHS Restructuring Plans

Today the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) formally requested HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, to speak at a hearing titled “An Update on the Restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services.” The hearing will discuss his proposed reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services.

April 1, 2025 | Dr. Brian King, Director of CTP, Placed on Administrative Leave

Following HHS’s previously announced restructuring plan, Dr. Brian King, Director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), was removed from his position and placed on administrative leave immediately. According to an Associated Press Report, he has been offered reassignment to the Indian Health Service. In addition to the removal of King from his position, there have also been reports that dozens of CTP staff, including teams responsible for regulation and policy, have also been dismissed as part of the restructuring initiative. There is no information on who FDA commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, will be selecting to replace King as Director of CTP at this time.

April 1, 2025 | FDA, CDC, and Other Health Agencies Begin Layoffs Per HHS Restructuring Plan

Following HHS’s previously announced restructuring plan, layoffs at the FDA, CDC, and other health agencies began on Tuesday. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated the cuts, combined with other recent departures, will reduce total headcount across all HHS departments from 82,000 from 62,000, with 3,500 cuts planned for the FDA. The HHS has stated that the decrease in staff at the FDA is being conducted with a focus on streamlining operations and centralizing administrative functions.

March 31, 2025 | Texas Judge Strikes Down FDA Laboratory Developed Test Final Rule

Today a Texas judge ruled to vacate and set aside the 2024 FDA Final Rule: Medical Devices; Laboratory Developed Tests, which directed for laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) to be regulated as medical devices, with phased compliance deadlines set to begin in May of 2025.

The ruling determined that the FDA’s regulatory action exceeded its authority under current law, remanding the matter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for further consideration. With this ruling, LDTs will no longer need to meet the upcoming regulatory requirements specified in the FDA final rule.

March 31, 2025 | FDA CDRH Releases Final Guidance Document: Evaluation of Sex-Specific Data in Medical Device Clinical Studies

This document provides guidance on the study and evaluation of sex-specific data in medical device clinical studies. The purpose of this guidance is to outline the FDA’s expectations regarding sex-specific patient enrollment, data analysis, and reporting of study information. The primary intent is to improve the quality and consistency of available data regarding the performance of medical devices in both sexes by encouraging appropriate enrollment by sex in clinical studies of devices, and that data from such studies is appropriately analyzed by sex. This information can be of benefit to patients and their medical providers, as well as clinical researchers and others.

March 28, 2025 | Dr. Kaveeta Vasisht Named Associate Commissioner for Women’s Health at FDA

Dr. Kaveeta Vasisht is responsible for directing the Office of Women’s Health (OWH) at the FDA through scientific programs, research, education and outreach efforts. Prior to joining the Office of Women’s Health, Dr. Vasisht served as the Deputy Director for the Division of Clinical Trial Quality in the Office of Medical Policy in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

March 28, 2025 | Dr. Peter Marks, Director of CBER, Resigns

Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), submitted his resignation, effective April 5, 2025, citing disagreement with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

March 27, 2025 | HHS Announces Restructuring Plan, Including Reductions to FDA

RFK Jr. announced Thursday his plan for aligning the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with President Trump’s Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.” The plan to restructure the HHS combines personnel cuts, centralization of functions, and consolidation of divisions across all departments under HHS. Per the announcement, FDA will decrease its workforce by approximately 3,500 full-time employees, with a focus on streamlining operations and centralizing administrative functions. This reduction will not affect drug, medical device, or food reviewers, nor will it impact inspectors.

March 26, 2025 | Dr. Marty Makary Confirmed US FDA Commissioner

Dr. Marty Makary, a former surgical oncologist and health policy researcher from Johns Hopkins, was confirmed Tuesday night by the U.S. Senate as the next commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a 56-44 vote.

March 26, 2025 | Barclay Butler, M.B.A., Ph.D. Named FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Chief Operating Officer

In this role, Dr. Butler has leadership authority over the management of business programs and operations across the FDA enterprise level, including human resources and facilities.

March 21, 2025 | Benjamin D. Moncarz Named FDA’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Benjamin D. Moncarz was named Chief Financial Officer – Office of Finance, Budget, Acquisistions and Planning at the US FDA. In this role, Moncarz will have oversight over budget, acquisitions, and financial management at the Agency.

March 20, 2025 | FDA Intends to Extend Compliance Date for Food Traceability Rule

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its intention to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule (the “final rule”) by 30 months. The FDA intends to extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register.

March 13, 2025 | Dr. Marty Makary Nomination Advances

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee advanced Dr. Makary’s nomination to the full Senate with a 14-9 vote.

March 6, 2025 | Dr. Marty Makary Nomination Hearing

Dr. Marty Makary appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for his nomination hearing as FDA Commissioner.

February 28, 2025 | Kyle Diamantas Named as new Acting Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods

U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced food and beverage attorney Kyle Diamantas is the new acting deputy commissioner for human foods. He replaces Jim Jones, who resigned last week.

February 27, 2025 | FDA Cancels Vaccine Advisory Committee Meeting on 2025-2026 Flu Vaccine

CIDRAP News reported the Agency confirmed the the meeting cancellation with them via email. “A planned March 13 meeting of the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on the influenza vaccine strains for the 2025-2026 influenza season in the northern hemisphere has been cancelled,” the agency said. “The FDA will make public its recommendations to manufacturers in time for updated vaccines to be available for the 2025-2026 influenza season.”

February 24, 2025 | FDA Extends the Effective Date for the “Healthy” Final Rule

The FDA is postponing the effective date for the final rule, entitled “Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims; Definition of Term ‘Healthy’” until April 28, 2025. The final rule was published with an effective date of February 25, 2025. The FDA is postponing the effective date in accordance with the January 20, 2025, memorandum from the President, entitled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” with respect to reviewing any questions of fact, law, and policy applicable to rules that have been published in the Federal Register but have not taken effect.

February 17, 2025 | Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the FDA, resigned from his position.

Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for human foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), resigned from his position Feb. 17, citing the Trump administration’s layoffs of 89 staffers in the agency’s food division in his reasoning for resignation.

February 16, 2025 | FDA Begins Layoffs as Trump Administration Moves to Reduce Federal Workforce

Probational employees at the Food and Drug Administration have begun recieving letters of termination shortly following the president’s February 11th Executive Order, seeking to reduce the federal workforce.

February 13, 2025 |Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Sworn in as 26th Secretary at HHS, Overseeing FDA

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. today was sworn in as the 26th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), responsible for overseeing the US FDA.

February 5, 2025 |FDA / HHS Release Institutional Review Board (IRB) Written Procedures: Guidance for Institutions and IRBs

This guidance has been prepared jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To enhance human subject protection and reduce regulatory burden, OHRP and FDA have been actively working to harmonize the Agencies’ regulatory requirements and guidance for human subject research. This guidance document was developed as a part of these efforts.

January 24, 2025 | Dr. Sara Brenner Appointed Acting FDA Commissioner

Dr. Sara Brenner was appointed Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the FDA, succeeding Dr. Robert Califf. Brenner, who worked in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, will take the helm of the agency until a new commissioner is confirmed.

January 20, 2025 | Dr. Robert Califf Ends Second Term as FDA Commissioner

Dr. Robert Califf concludes his second term as FDA commissioner, stating “I feel good about the shape that we’re leaving the agency in,”.

January 20, 2025 | President Trump Issues Regulatory Freeze

On January 20, 2025, President Trump released an executive memo, “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,”. The memo directs all executive agencies to not propose or issue any rule without the approval of an appointed agency head or the President. The memo also directs agencies to withdraw any rules that have been submitted to the Office of the Federal Register but have not been published. In addition, the memo directs agencies to consider postponing the effective dates of rules that have been finalized and published in the Federal Register, but have not become effective yet.

January 18, 2025 | Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay Named Acting Director of CDER

Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay J.D., M.D., has been named acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research following former Director Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni’s retirement announcement last week.

January 10, 2025 | Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni Announces Retirement as Director of CDER

Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), announced her retirement Friday (Jan. 10), capping off over a decade at the agency, including more than four years as CDER’s top official. CDER Principal Deputy Director Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay is set to serve as acting director following Dr. Cavazzoni’s retirement on January 18.