STAT+: Katherine Szarama named acting director of FDA’s vaccines and biologics center

STAT PlusPolitics Katherine Szarama named acting director of FDA’s vaccines and biologics center Szarama was deputy to Vinay Prasad, who just left the agency Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Lizzy LawrenceApril 30, 2026 FDA Reporter Lizzy Lawrence[email protected]Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53. WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration has named Katherine Szarama as the acting director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, which regulates vaccines, gene therapies, and the blood supply. A Health and Human Services official confirmed the move, which was first reported by Politico, to STAT. Advertisement She is replacing Vinay Prasad, who left the agency on Thursday after a tumultuous tenure during which he issued a series of controversial decisions on rare disease drugs and vaccines. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in March that Prasad would return to the University of California San Francisco. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — 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 biotechnology, drug development, FDA, Gene therapy, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+, Vaccines Submit a correction requestReprints Lizzy Lawrence FDA Reporter Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Matt's Take April 30, 2026 Remembering J. Craig Venter: a relentless scientist who changed biotech — and was all too easily misunderstood The Readout April 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Five-way obesity drug is super effective — in mice Advertisement Adam's Biotech Scorecard April 30, 2026 STAT Plus: What does Akeso’s primo plenary spot say about its survival data? The Readout April 29, 2026 STAT Plus: A patent win for Pfizer and BridgeBio Biotech April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA launches effort to speed up clinical trials, using AI Subscriber Picks