HHS plans two new FDA deputy commissioner roles for technology and drugs

Published Aug 25, 05:04 PM UTC

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning to create two new deputy commissioner roles at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one focused on technology and artificial intelligence and the other on drugs, according to sources familiar with the matter. The new positions would report to President Trump's pick for FDA commissioner, Heidi Overton, who awaits Senate confirmation. Jared Seehafer, a senior advisor to the FDA and former CEO of life sciences software company Enzyme, is the leading candidate for the technology role. No specific candidates have been identified for the drugs position. The restructuring comes amid FDA scrutiny over foodborne outbreaks and controversial drug approval decisions, including accelerated approval for Replimune's melanoma drug and a reversal on UniQure's Huntington's disease treatment. No final decisions or formal announcements have been made.