STAT+: The hunt for FDA’s next leader

STAT PlusNewsletterD.C. Diagnosis The hunt for FDA’s next leader You’re reading STAT’s D.C. Diagnosis newsletter Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By John WilkersonMay 14, 2026 Washington Correspondent John Wilkerson[email protected]John Wilkerson is a Washington correspondent for STAT who writes about the politics of health care. He is also the author of the twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter. You’re reading the web edition of D.C. Diagnosis, STAT’s twice-weekly newsletter about the politics and policy of health and medicine. Sign up here to receive it in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Shortly before his departure from FDA, Marty Makary opened up to Men’s Health about his guilty pleasure: organic yogurt-covered goji berries. Send news tips and vice confessions to [email protected] or John_Wilkerson.07 on Signal.Advertisement Dr. Cassidy v. Sen. Cassidy Everyone in Louisiana politics feels sorry for Bill Cassidy. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In Congress, drug development, FDA, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, public health, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints John Wilkerson Washington Correspondent John Wilkerson is a Washington correspondent for STAT who writes about the politics of health care. He is also the author of the twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended The Readout May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: BeOne wins FDA approval in lymphoma race Health Tech Newsletter May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Why big digital health players are missing from Medicare’s chronic care experiment Advertisement Biotech May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Biogen’s tau-targeting Alzheimer’s drug posts mixed results in mid-stage study Exclusive May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: CREATE Medicines, a biotech company developing CAR-T therapies, raises $122 million Biotech May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Regenxbio says Duchenne gene therapy succeeded in clinical trial, paving way for FDA submission Subscriber Picks