Not too long after Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D. left the FDA as Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), according to Drew Armstrong’s article in Endpoints News (here, subscription required), she landed at Pfizer where she was hired as Chief Medical Officer. She had worked at Pfizer previously and left the Agency shortly before Trump took office. I’m sure that Pfizer will be glad to get her back.
There has been much concern expressed about the “revolving door” at the FDA; however, it makes perfect sense as FDA staff learn the regulatory and scientific aspects of the drug approval process at the Agency, why wouldn’t they be perfect candidates for jobs in the pharmaceutical industry as either second careers or just for better opportunities? I walked through that revolving door when I left the Agency to join Lachman Consultants over thirty years ago, and I think it’s good for both industry and the FDA that there is this interchange. Industry gets to hire an employee that knows how the FDA works, what the FDA wants, and how to speak its language. The Agency gets someone on the outside that can help the industry better comply with its expectations and requirements. So, long live the revolving door as it is symbiotic for all concerned. We wish Dr. Cavazzoni the best in her new position!
