FDA Watch

Wayne chats with Rachel Raphael, Partner at Morgan Lewis, and Ronie Schmelz,  Partner at K&L Gates. You'll hear their thoughts on what's happening at FDA in cosmetics and personal care products; how companies should navigate ingredient concerns amid federal inaction, aggressive state laws, and stricter foreign regimes; the state of regulation surrounding labeling and advertising and promotion; what industry should be keeping an eye on heading into 2026; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: Tensions reported between FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Pharma: From the Guardian, finding CDER Director replacement left FDA in state of "turmoil" and "tensions" Devices: From the Economic Times, European medical device manufacturers feeling U.S. tariff squeeze Food: RFK Jr. calls for greater food allergy research at Food Allergy Fund Leadership Forum In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Sarah Sorscher, Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and Sarah Gallo, Senior Vice President of Product Policy and Federal Affairs at the Consumer Brands Association. You'll hear their thoughts on the current state of foods at FDA, concerns related to the agency's budget, impacts of the government shutdown on FDA and the Human Foods program, how federal regulation might affect state regulation, changes to the GRAS process and post-market review, how industry is adapting to evolving guidance on ultraprocessed foods, and much more. Read Sarah Sorscher's statement and article on the Marshall bill. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments:  FDA returns to work following historic government shutdown Pharma: Richard Pazdur named new CDER director FDA announces next round of priority review vouchers Devices: MD+DI analysis shows slowdown in device regulatory review process Food: From ProPublica, FDA foreign food safety inspections hit historic low Cosmetics:  Neutrogena recalls potentially contaminated makeup wipes In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this third part of our series in collaboration with Hyman, Phelps & McNamara (HPM), Wayne chats with Sara Koblitz, Director at HPM; Kurt Karst, Director at HPM; and Karin Hessler, General Counsel at the Association for Accessible Medicines. Together, they discuss the biggest hurdles that the generic industry needs to overcome in today's regulatory environment; the effect of pressure on industry to continue lowering drug prices; how the Hatch-Waxman Act has played out over the past 40 years; how the act can be used to address drug shortages; incentives for companies to develop follow-on products to avoid shortages; how tariffs are impacting generic drug manufacturing overseas; and much more. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this second part of our series in collaboration with Hyman, Phelps & McNamara (HPM), Wayne chats with John Claud, Counsel at HPM; Peter Dickos, Counsel at HPM; and Andrew Hull, Director at HPM. Together, they discuss the current enforcement environment at FDA; foreign inspections of pharmaceuticals and how companies should respond to 483s; False Claims Act theories for liability, specifically in areas such as cybersecurity, tariffs, DEI compliance, and CID/subpoena responses; key considerations in determining whether to enter into a consent decree with the agency; trends in enforcement discretion; and much more. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Sandra Cohen Kalter, member of the Strategic Advisory Group for iTolerance and a retired legal regulatory attorney from industry, and Steve Silverman, President of the consultancy The Silverman Group. You'll hear their thoughts on how CDRH has been affected over the past year, whether the center has the resources and cross-agency collaboration it needs to fulfill its regulatory mandate, FDA's capacity to support innovation amid review pressure and staffing cuts, how companies can find reliable up-to-date regulatory information that's not available through FDA communications avenues, FDA's ability to monitor safety and performance throughout a device's life cycle, and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments:  Pharma: From STAT, biotech leaders say FDA uncertainty threatens drug development Devices: FDA alerts healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers to complications with radiofrequency microneedling devices Food: FDA remains busy with food recalls, this time for cinnamon and eggs Cosmetics: Personal Care Insights spotlights growing wave in cosmetics: human-derived ingredients In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Cartier Esham, CEO of Esham Strategies and Executive Director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA, and Elizabeth Jungman, Partner at Hogan Lovells in the firm's Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology practice. You'll hear their thoughts on FDA's maintenance of its drug review process amid staffing cuts; the agency's new PreCheck program and how it may proceed; FDA's evolving stance on confirmatory evidence and accelerated approvals and how they could reshape how companies approach clinical trial designs or risk disclosures; agency budgets; ramped-up AI use at the agency and in industry; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: Pharma: Former CBER Director Dr. Peter Marks joins Eli Lilly Devices: FDA seeks public input on how best to measure and evaluate AI-enabled medical devices Food: FDA continues to investigate Listeria and Salmonella outbreaks across U.S. Cosmetics: Jury awards $966 million to family of deceased California woman, finding that Johnson & Johnson's talc-based baby powder contributed to mesothelioma In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this first part of our series in collaboration with Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. (HPM), Wayne chats with James Valentine, Director at HPM; Frank Sasinowski, Director at HPM; Louise Himmelstrup, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Zevra Therapeutics; and Kate McCurdy, Co-Founder and Board Chair of the Barth Syndrome Foundation. Together, they discuss the current status of orphan drug approvals at FDA; why confirmatory evidence is particularly important in rare disease development programs, how confirmatory evidence is being and has been applied, and how confirmatory evidence is evolving; new ways in which sponsors and FDA are engaging with accelerated approvals through greater use of intermediate clinical endpoints; ultra-rare disease pathways, including FDA's new Rare Disease Evidence Principles, and why diseases like Barth syndrome and Niemann-Pick disease type C face such challenges with the agency; and much more. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Meredith Petillo, Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at the Independent Beauty Association. You'll hear her thoughts on recent FDA warning letters to sunscreen brands; the mention of sunscreens in the new MAHA report; "foodification" risks in beauty and the personal care products space; how companies can prepare for potentially increased agency focus on non-traditional product formats; OMUFA, how it could impact innovation and competition in the OTC space, and its effect on small businesses; and much more. Check out IBA's Cosmetics Convergence Fall 2025: Indie Beauty Compliance Edition, a two-day virtual conference happening Nov. 12–13, for further updates and practical guidance on beauty and personal care industry compliance. FDA Watch listeners get 10% off registration with discount code IBAFDA10. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: HHS issues new MAHA report President Trump signs executive order regarding DTC advertising; FDA Commissioner Makary sends letters to pharma companies saying new rules and stricter enforcement coming Pharma and Devices: OMB releases Spring 2025 regulatory agenda Food: FDA launches new Nationalized Entry Review program Cosmetics: EU bans gel nail polishes that continue to be sold in U.S. In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.   

Wayne chats with Claudia Lewis, Co-Chair of the FDA Group at Venable, and Ricardo Carvajal, Director at Hyman, Phelps & McNamara. You'll hear their thoughts on FDA's focus and direction on ultraprocessed foods; GRAS regulation and former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler's citizen petition; potential agency updates to food nutrition labeling; inspections and food safety; FDA's use of AI in food decision-making; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: Pharma: Substantial publicity surrounds firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez Devices: FDA launces Regulatory Accelerator for digital health devices Food: HHS and Secretary Kennedy to issue second MAHA report Cosmetics: FDA issues warning letters to sunscreen companies making mousse products In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Paul Kim, Principal of Kendall Square Policy Strategies and former head of FDA and federal government strategies practices at a leading law firm for 20 years. Together, they discuss major legal issues and concerns with what the agency is aiming to accomplish; priorities for CDER Director Dr. George Tidmarsh and CBER Director Dr. Vinay Prasad; the direction of CDER and CBER on orphan drugs, rare diseases, and vaccines; reviews under the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher Program; and much more. This episode and all bonus episodes do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Neil O'Flaherty, Partner and Head of the Medical Device Practice Group at Amin Wasserman Gurnani, and Bobbi Druyor-Sanchez, Partner with NDA Partners. You'll hear their thoughts on what's happening at CDRH with warning letters and inspections for medical devices, AI-enabled medical devices and the ongoing situation with Whoop, and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments: FDA releases new staff manual on "Gold Standard Science" policy Pharma: U.S. District Court upholds FDA authority to regulate homeopathic drugs as "new drugs" under the FD&C Act Pharma: HHS brings back task force on childhood vaccines Devices: FDA declares PFAS in medical devices safe Food: FDA issues warning about imported cookware that may leach lead into food Cosmetics: In recent webinar, experts outline growing complexity of biodiversity compliance for cosmetics and personal care companies In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with Deb Autor, CEO of Healthcare Innovation Catalysts, and Paul Offit, M.D., Director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. You'll hear their thoughts on vaccine development, policy, testing, and funding, including COVID vaccines; the new Commissioner's National Priority Voucher Program; the Sarepta gene therapy episode; leadership transitions at CDER and CBER; AI in pharmaceutical regulation; and much more. In our headlines segment, Wayne delves into these major developments:  Pharma: Vinay Prasad back as CBER head after ousting Devices: Troubles continue with FDA's new AI tool, Elsa Food: FDA and USDA publish joint RFI to help define ultra-processed foods Cosmetics: Anxiety over U.S.-imposed tariffs sparks shopper panic in late July In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Wayne chats with John Taylor, Head of the Quality and Compliance Practice at ELIQUENT and 30-year FDA, industry, trade association, and consulting veteran. Together, they discuss Taylor's pedigree; his perspective on the most pressing issues FDA is facing in drugs, devices, foods, and cosmetics; the agency's increasing use of AI; what FDA's top priorities should be moving forward; and much more. This episode and all bonus episodes do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Shelly and Wayne chat with the following guests in their respective fields of expertise: Pharma: Naomi Lowy, M.D., Principal Drug Regulatory Expert, Hyman, Phelps & McNamara Devices: Claire Davies, Shareholder at Polsinelli Cosmetics: Angela Diesch, Partner and Head of the Cosmetics Industry Practice at Amin Wasserman Gurnani Food: Frank Yiannas, former FDA Deputy Commissioner of Food Policy & Response at FDA Each guest dives into their top three FDA developments from the first half of 2025 in their respective areas. This episode and all bonus episodes do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Shelly and Wayne chat with Emily Manoso, Executive Vice President, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, and General Counsel at the Personal Care Products Council. You'll hear her thoughts on the state of cosmetics regulation and safety under the new administration, cosmetic and personal care product imports, the implementation and enforcement of MoCRA, FDA's fragrance allergen labeling rule, and much more. In our headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments: HHS and FDA launch public request for information to identify and eliminate outdated or unnecessary regulations Pharma: FDA shifts position on COVID-19 vaccines Devices: FDA approves first at-home cervical cancer testing kit Food: FDA launches "more robust, transparent" post-market chemical review program for food Cosmetics: FDA issues warning on contaminated tattoo inks In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this third and final part of our AI series in collaboration with Arnold & Porter, Shelly and Wayne chat with Philip Desjardins, Partner at Arnold & Porter; Mahnu Davar, Partner at Arnold & Porter; and Dr. William Maisel, Vice President and Senior Medical Officer at Intuitive, and former Director of the Office of Product Evaluation and Quality at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at FDA. Together, they discuss the use of AI for clinical decision support, in regulation and pharmacovigilance functions, and in diagnostic and monitoring tools; AI's impact on advertising and promotion; what "AI washing" is and why it's important to distinguish real AI innovation from marketing hype; FDA's first AI-assisted scientific review pilot; and much more. Access Arnold & Porter's recent AI survey here. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Shelly and Wayne chat with Martin Hahn, Global Regulatory Partner at Hogan Lovells, and Tony Pavel, Partner at Keller and Heckman. You'll hear their thoughts on global food supply chain vulnerabilities and how FDA is monitoring them; how U.S. tariffs on imported food products influence the availability and safety oversight of essential goods like formula or medical nutrition; how FDA is working with international partners to improve coordination and transparency; FDA measures to ensure a more resilient and responsive infant formula supply; and much more. In our Headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments:  FDA announces expanded use of unannounced inspections at foreign manufacturing facilities President Trump signs an executive order that aims to reduce drug costs by basing payments for certain medicines on their prices in other countries Pharma: FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary says layoffs won't hinder the agency's target dates for drug reviews Devices: Two U.S. Senators introduce legislation encouraging the use of AI-enabled medical devices Food: HHS, FDA announce plans to phase out synthetic dyes in nation's food supply Cosmetics: ICCS shares case studies and mock dossiers as examples of how new approach methodologies can be utilized  In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

In this second part of our AI-focused series in collaboration with Arnold & Porter, Shelly and Wayne chat with Howard Sklamberg, Partner at Arnold & Porter; Eva Temkin, Partner at Arnold & Porter; and Marko Topalovic, Chief AI Officer at Clario, which recently acquired ArtiQ, where he was Founder and CEO. Together, they discuss how AI can accelerate drug discovery and design; how AI could be used in the clinical trial process; how FDA could use AI to evaluate medical product manufacturers' data integrity operations and in inspections; how AI could play a part in product applications; and much more. Access Arnold & Porter's recent AI survey here. This episode and the rest of our series do not include the usual Headlines and Resources Links segments. To subscribe or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Shelly and Wayne chat with Dr. Daniel Schultz, Principal of Medical Devices and Combination Products at Eliquent, and Jonathan Kahan, a Global Regulatory Partner at Hogan Lovells. You'll hear their thoughts on the effect of CDRH staff reductions on medical device reviews and market authorizations; the outlook for device regulation in the next few years; how FDA is responding to device shortages and supply interruptions; the effectiveness of the current post-market surveillance system in detecting device-related adverse events; the possible effect of eliminating the Freedom of Information staff on the agency's ability to be responsive and transparent to the public; and much more. In our headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments: Pharma: Drug development is decelerating amid FDA's staffing cuts Devices: A federal court shuts down an FDA rule that reclassifies laboratory services as medical devices Food: FDA did not disclose information surrounding fatal E. coli outbreak linked to lettuce Cosmetics: PCPC releases statement following FDA's announcement to phase out animal testing requirements for monoclonal antibodies and other drugs In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net.  Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.

Shelly and Wayne chat with Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, Founder and CEO of BioTechquity Clinical, and Alan Minsk, Partner, Chair of the Food & Drug practice, and Co-Chair of the Life Sciences industry team at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP. You'll hear their thoughts on the potential effects that FDA staffing cuts may have on drug and biologics approvals; how the current environment may affect investments in drug and biotech development; what companies can do to amid agency staffing shortages; how FDA can aim to include all demographics of patients in trials; and much more.  In our headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments: Pharma: Trump administration makes exception for pharmaceuticals amid rollout of tariffs Devices: Industry continues to face the consequences of cutbacks at CDRH Food: Food company completes FDA pre-market consultation for human food made with cultured pork fat cells Cosmetics: PCPC executive issues statement on impact of Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs on cosmetics and personal care products industry In our Resource Links segment, we list key documents in our four core areas. To view these links, subscribe, or find out more information about our podcast, visit FDAWatch.net. Want to be a sponsor, marketing partner, or guest, or provide feedback on the podcast? Email us at info@fdawatch.net. Music by Dvir Silver from Pixabay.