Democratic opposition could sink Woodcock’s chances to be nominated as permanent FDA commissioner

The White House has resumed the search for a permanent FDA commissioner in the face of opposition from Democratic senators to naming Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock to the position, sources who have spoken with senior Biden administration officials told BioCentury. While a final decision about nominating Woodcock has not been made, the chances that she will be named are slipping and the White House is looking for alternatives.

Joshua Sharfstein, who is opposed by some patient advocacy groups and biopharmaceutical companies, is no longer being considered for the position, the sources said. Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a former principal deputy FDA commissioner...