FDA, Ned Sharpless

After the surprise resignation of Scott Gottlieb​, the question arose as to who would replace him as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the answer, at least temporarily, is Norman “Ned” Sharpless.

Sharpless moves across from his role as the head of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which he has held from June 10, 2017, and will maintain the position, as acting commissioner, until a permanent successor to Gottlieb is appointed.

Gottlieb responded favourably to the news:

I’m delighted by the announcement from @SecAzar that @NCIDirector will serve as acting commissioner of #FDA. Ned is a friend to FDA, a great public health champion, a dedicated physician, and will be warmly welcomed into his new role. FDA will benefit greatly from his leadership.

— Scott Gottlieb, M.D. (@SGottliebFDA) March 12, 2019

Sharpless has direct experience working within the pharma industry, after being involved in the development of G1 Therapeutics and Sapere Bio.

Preceding his role as head of the NCI, he was director of University of North Carolina’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center for four years, from 2013.