STAT+: China competition, ‘destruction’ at FDA give agency chance to restructure, Rick Pazdur says

STAT PlusBiotech China competition, ‘destruction’ at FDA give agency chance to restructure, Rick Pazdur says Former regulator suggests leaders ‘think creatively’ about industry and academic talent Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Elaine ChenMay 30, 2026 Elaine Chen, a national biotech reporter, is the co-author of The Readout, a newsletter about the business, science, and politics of biotech. Elaine Chen[email protected]Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. CHICAGO — Rick Pazdur, the former top oncology regulator at the Food and Drug Administration, said the damage done under recent political appointees opens a chance for new leadership to fundamentally restructure the FDA, particularly as China’s drug industry grows more competitive. Under leaders appointed by the Trump administration, “we’ve had a lot of destruction here, and it doesn’t mean that we have to just go back and say, well, let’s rebuild it as it was,” Pazdur said Friday night at a STAT event during the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “This gives us a great opportunity of — how we want to build it, what staff we want to have, how we want the administrative structure to be.”Advertisement He said the FDA has lost many valuable experts, and one way to bolster the workforce is to “think creatively,” such as bringing in academics and people in the drug industry for one- or two-year terms. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. 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 ASCO, Cancer, FDA, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Elaine Chen National Biotech Reporter Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Newsletter Your morning rundown of the science, politics, and money driving biotech today Recommended The Readout June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: A turning point for pancreatic cancer patients Biotech June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Servier to buy Edgewise Therapeutics’ muscular dystrophy drug Advertisement Biotech May 31, 2026 STAT Plus: A standing ovation for RevMed, and caution for Akeso Pharma May 31, 2026 Ultra-low doses could bring costly cancer treatments to more patients in poorer countries Biotech May 31, 2026 STAT Plus: Practice-changing results reported for Revolution Medicines pancreatic cancer drug Subscriber Picks