Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, MD, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, will step down in July after more than eight years at the agency, Bloomberg Law reported June 23.
In an internal email obtained by the publication, Dr. Corrigan-Curay announced her decision to retire. She has served as acting CDER head since January following the departure of Patrizia Cavazzoni, MD.
Dr. Corrigan-Curay joined the FDA in 2016 and became principal deputy center director in 2021. Prior to that, she led the agency’s Office of Medical Policy.
“What has made this decision so difficult for me is all of you,” she said of her colleagues, according to the email. “Your unwavering support, especially during recent challenging times, has been humbling. I do not mean to let anyone down, but I believe I need to follow my instincts.”
Her departure follows a wave of recent leadership changes at the FDA, including the exits of Peter Marks, MD, PhD, at top vaccine regulator; Jim Jones, head of the food division; and Michael Rogers, the FDA’s leader of drug and food inspections.
