FDA picks Flatiron's Abernethy for No. 2 spot

FDA has hired data scientist and oncologist Amy Abernethy of Flatiron Health Inc. for its No. 2 spot, succeeding Rachel Sherman, who is retiring. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told BioCentury he expects Abernethy to evaluate how the agency can advance its policies in real-world evidence (RWE) as the top thought leader in the U.S. in her field.

"For more than a decade, she has pioneered the development of technology platforms to accelerate clinical evidence development," said Gottlieb, as he announced Abernethy’s appointment in an internal email to FDA staff Dec. 17...