FDA Appoints New Acting Director for Biologics Center
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 01 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- New Appointment: The FDA has appointed Katherine Szarama as the acting director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), responsible for regulating vaccines and biologic drugs, indicating the agency's ongoing commitment to the biologics sector.
- Career Background: Szarama joined the FDA in December 2022, previously serving as the deputy director of CBER and having worked at the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2016 to 2019, providing her with a robust foundation for her new role.
- Leadership Transition: Her appointment follows the departure of Vinay Prasad in April 2023, who faced criticism for several controversial decisions during his tenure, highlighting the turbulence within the FDA's leadership.
- Regulatory Challenges: Prasad's tenure included managing the fallout from several deaths linked to the gene therapy Elevidys developed by Sarepta and Bayer, raising significant public and industry scrutiny, suggesting that Szarama's leadership may steer the FDA towards a more cautious regulatory approach.
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Analyst Views on PFE
Wall Street analysts forecast PFE stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
11 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 26.480
Low
24.00
Averages
28.56
High
35.00
Current: 26.480
Low
24.00
Averages
28.56
High
35.00
About PFE
Pfizer Inc. is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. Its Biopharma segment includes the Pfizer U.S. Commercial Division, and the Pfizer International Commercial Division. Its product categories include oncology, primary care and specialty care. Its oncology products include Ibrance, Xtandi, Padcev, Adcetris, Inlyta, Lorbrena, Bosulif, Tukysa, Braftovi, Mektovi, Orgovyx, Elrexfio, Tivdak and Talzenna. Its primary care products include Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, the Prevnar family, Comirnaty, Abrysvo, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, Nimenrix, Trumenba, and Paxlovid. Its specialty care products include Xeljanz, Enbrel (outside the United States and Canada), Inflectra, Abrilada, Cibinqo, Litfulo, Eucrisa, Velsipity, the Vyndaqel family, Genotropin, and others. Its PF-08653944 is an ultra-long-acting fully biased GLP-1 receptor agonist.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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See More
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