FDA permanently appoints heads of drug and vaccine centers

On September 8, 2026, the Trump administration permanently filled key leadership roles at the Food and Drug Administration, transitioning acting heads Michael Davis, Karim Mikhail, and Bret Koplow into permanent director roles for drugs, vaccines, and tobacco regulation. Additionally, Jared Seehafer was named the agency's first deputy commissioner for technology and artificial intelligence. These appointments stabilize senior leadership as commissioner nominee Heidi Overton awaits confirmation.

FDA permanent leadership appointments

• ▪The permanent appointments at the Food and Drug Administration on September 8, 2026, stabilized key agency posts while a new commissioner awaited confirmation
• ▪On September 8, 2026, the Trump administration permanently filled key senior leadership roles at the Food and Drug Administration, transitioning acting heads into permanent positions
• ▪Michael Davis, a psychiatrist who had been serving in an acting capacity, was permanently appointed as the director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research on September 8, 2026
• ▪Bret Koplow, an attorney who has worked at the Food and Drug Administration since 2011, was permanently appointed as the director of the Center for Tobacco Products on September 8, 2026

Trump administration FDA staffing

• ▪The Trump administration's permanent appointments at the Food and Drug Administration on September 8, 2026, were announced by the United States Department of Health and Human Services
• ▪Under the Trump administration, the Food and Drug Administration has pushed its staff to utilize artificial intelligence to accelerate its regulatory review processes

FDA artificial intelligence deputy commissioner

• ▪Jared Seehafer was appointed on September 8, 2026, to serve as the Food and Drug Administration's first deputy commissioner for technology and artificial intelligence
• ▪Jared Seehafer, who joined the Food and Drug Administration as an adviser in 2025, previously founded a life science software company and worked in biotechnology investment advising

Heidi Overton commissioner nomination

• ▪The Trump administration nominated Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration as its commissioner in late August 2026
• ▪Heidi Overton, who was nominated to lead the Food and Drug Administration, previously served as a White House aide

Debatable claims

• ▪The FDA should not permanently fill senior roles before a commissioner is confirmed
• ▪Former pharmaceutical executives should not lead FDA regulatory centers
• ▪The FDA should use artificial intelligence to accelerate drug reviews

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