Janet Woodcock Acting FDA Commissioner After Hanh’s Departure

Janet Woodcock will be stepping in as Acting FDA Commissioner while the Biden administration finalizes a nominee for the position.

Woodcock will replace Stephen M. Hahn, MD, after he resigned last week after facing public criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic and claims of “bowing to” political pressure from President Trump.

Woodcock is an agency veteran who has been at FDA for 34 years. Woodcock was first brought to FDA’s Drug Division by David Kessler, MD, a former FDA commissioner. 

She has also served as Director of the Office of Therapeutics Research and Review, Acting Deputy Director of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) since 2008.

Last May, Woodcock was assigned to the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed to work on the development of COVID-19 treatments, which will continue in her role as commissioner. 

“I commit to you to do everything I can to keep FDA employees safe and productive, and to support the regulatory programs we are entrusted with. I also plan to support and promote our commitment to diversity and inclusion, that is such a strength within the agency,” Woodcock said in a note to FDA staff. 

Although the Biden administration has not indicated when a permanent FDA Commissioner would be named, Woodcock is one of the candidates under consideration.