Scientists who discovered orexin receive Lasker Award as FDA appoints permanent heads of key drug and biologics centers

The team that identified the orexin system has been honored with a Lasker Award, one of the nation’s most prestigious biomedical recognitions. The award highlights the impact of their work on understanding sleep regulation and metabolic disease.

Orexin research has spurred a wave of new obesity and sleep‑disorder therapies, positioning the discoverers at the forefront of a rapidly expanding therapeutic area. Industry observers note that the award underscores the commercial promise of targeting this pathway.

In a separate development, the FDA announced that its two major centers will now have permanent leadership. Michael Davis has been confirmed as director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, while Karim Mikhail will lead the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

The permanent appointments are expected to bring greater stability to the agency’s regulatory processes, which could affect drug review timelines and policy decisions across the biotech sector.