Patrizia Cavazzoni, a highly respected former official at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has recently been appointed as the new Chief Medical Officer at Pfizer. This announcement was made by Pfizer on Monday, signaling a significant addition to the company’s leadership team.
Cavazzoni previously served as the head of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research until her departure in mid-January. Her role at the FDA involved overseeing a substantial portion of the agency’s drug review process. Her decision to join Pfizer comes at a time when the company is focused on enhancing its regulatory, pharmacovigilance, safety, epidemiology, and medical information and evidence generation efforts. In her new position, Cavazzoni will report to Chris Boshoff, Pfizer’s recently promoted head of Research and Development (R&D) and top scientist.
The appointment of Cavazzoni raises questions about the so-called “revolving door” between regulatory agencies like the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry. This phenomenon, where former FDA officials transition to roles within the companies they once regulated, has been a topic of debate in the past. Cavazzoni’s move to Pfizer follows a trend of former FDA Commissioners, such as Robert Califf, Scott Gottlieb, and Stephen Hahn, taking on industry positions after their time at the agency.
As the new U.S. health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has highlighted the importance of addressing potential conflicts of interest within regulatory agencies like the FDA. This issue is likely to receive increased scrutiny, especially given the stringent rules governing interactions between former FDA employees and the agency if they move into industry roles.
Prior to her tenure at the FDA, Cavazzoni had a background in the pharmaceutical sector, having worked at companies like Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and Sanofi. In a heartfelt email to FDA staff upon her departure, she expressed gratitude for her time at the agency and emphasized her continued support for its mission. Cavazzoni’s experience and expertise make her a valuable addition to Pfizer’s leadership team, as the company continues to drive innovation and excellence in the pharmaceutical industry.
Overall, Cavazzoni’s appointment at Pfizer represents a significant milestone in her career and underscores the ongoing intersection between regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical sector. Her commitment to advancing healthcare and drug development will undoubtedly be an asset to Pfizer as it navigates the complex landscape of drug regulation and innovation.
