FDA names new director for vaccines, biologics unit

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has named Katherine Szarama to be the acting director of the unit in charge of regulating vaccines and other biological products for human use.

An official for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed to The Hill that Szarama will take over the role from Vinay Prasad to lead the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). Szarama previously served as deputy director to Prasad, before being tapped to replace him.

Politico was first to report on Szarama’s appointment.

Szarama joined the FDA late last year, having held positions within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the National Institutes of Health beforehand. As head of CBER, Szarama will be in charge of evaluating biological products for human use, determining their safety, effectiveness and availability.

Prasad’s tenure last year was marked by abrupt departures and returns. He was appointed to the position after former CBER Director Peter Marks left amid clashes with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

MAGA influencer Laura Loomer attacked Prasad last year for his past comments praising Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and criticizing President Trump; Prasad left his position at the FDA soon after.

But Prasad was promptly brought back, with the HHS saying at the time that “neither the White House nor HHS will allow the fake news media to distract from the critical work the FDA is carrying out under the Trump administration.”