After a short search, FDA found its new acting director for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

The agency announced it has appointed Tracy Beth Høeg, PhD, as its new acting director of CDER, just a day after Dr. Richard Pazdur announced his plans to retire from the position.

Why did FDA name Tracy Beth Høeg as director of CDER?

FDA based its decision to appoint Dr. Høeg on the agency’s belief that she can help modernize the drug division. Høeg has served as FDA’s Senior Advisor for Clinical Sciences in both the Office of the Commissioner and CDER since May of this year.¹

Before joining FDA, Dr. Høeg was a physician and epidemiologist, practicing physical and interventional spine and sports medicine.

“Dr. Høeg is the right scientist to fully modernize CDER and finish the job of establishing a culture of cross-center coordination there,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “At CBER, she advanced scientific rigor through her commitment to providing the public with the highest quality of evidence, including our roadmap to reduce and replace animal testing with new technologies.”

Tracy Beth Høeg’s statement after being appointed as director of CDER

“CDER plays a crucial role in ensuring the medicines we rely on are both safe and effective,” said Dr. Høeg. “This is an incredible opportunity to serve my fellow Americans. I am committed to transparency, honesty, and decisions based on rigorous science and ensuring important changes happen efficiently. I am humbled to support the FDA’s work to modernize and strengthen how we evaluate evidence so the public benefits from the best science.”

FDA names a new leader for its Office of Nonprescription Drugs

Along with appointing Dr. Høeg as head of CDER, FDA also announced its appointment of Karen Murry, M.D., as the new director of the Office of Nonprescription Drugs (ONPD).¹ Dr. Murray’s appointment follows suit with the agency’s push for modernization.

Who else was named director of CDER this year?

The one constant for FDA this past year has been the turnover, especially for the director of CDER. Over this past year, FDA named five different directors for CDER, raising more questions than answers for the agency.

Back in January, Patrizia Cavazzoni announced her retirement from FDA, serving as the director of CDER since April 2021. When Cavazzoni announced her retirement, Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay was appointed as acting director and served until late July.

George Tidmarsh was then appointed as director in July, bringing controversy to the position during his tenure. In late October Tidmarsh was placed on leave by the agency for “concerns over personal conduct,” according to ABC News. Shortly after being placed on leave, Tidmarsh resigned from the position claiming the agency has a “toxic environment.”

In November, Dr. Richard Pazdur was named director of CDER, having served 26 years at the agency, bringing experience and the potential for stability at the position. However just weeks after his appointment, Dr. Pazdur announced his plan to retire at the end of December, leading to Dr. Høeg’s recent appointment as acting director.

Sources

1. FDA Announces Leadership Appointments at Center for Drug Evaluation and Research U.S. Food and Drug Administration December 3, 2025 https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-announces-leadership-appointments-center-drug-evaluation-and-research
2. FDA's top drug regulator placed on leave, considering resigning, citing 'toxic' environment. ABC News. November 2, 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fdas-top-drug-regulator-leave-resigning-citing-toxic/story?id=127119927