Weaving new threads into FDA

FDA organizational changes and personnel appointments announced last week could help depoliticize the agency's decision making, increase its understanding of the way industry operates, and, possibly, improve coordination of drug, biologics and device oversight.

The reorganization, which was set in motion by the January departure of Joshua Sharfstein as principal deputy commissioner, also could deepen the bench of managerial talent at an agency that has traditionally valued technical competence over management skills...