FDA Watch

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.

Shelly and Wayne chat with Ron Bartek, Co-Founder and President of Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, and Ralph Hall, CEO of Hall Strategies, LLC. Together, they discuss the overall situation at FDA right now; its impact on agency activities and innovation; what areas will be most impacted; what policy changes, such as those surrounding vaccines, animal testing, expedited approvals, and right-to-try guidance, might be coming; 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.

In this first part of our AI-focused series in collaboration with Arnold & Porter, Shelly and Wayne chat with Dan Kracov, Partner at Arnold and Porter and Chair of the firm’s Global Life Sciences Industry group; Abeba Habtemariam, Partner at Arnold & Porter; Ethan Dabbs, Managing Director and Senior Partner at the Boston Consulting Group; and Lauren Silvis, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Tempus. Together, they discuss Arnold & Porter’s recent survey on AI adoption in life sciences; problems, challenges, and successes in AI adoption in drug and medical device development; where FDA may be hampered in developing AI policy given budget and personnel cuts; concerns surrounding AI and protecting IP; and much more. Access Arnold & Porter’s survey on AI adoption in life sciences at https://www.arnoldporter.com/-/media/files/perspectives/publications/2024/11/report_the-convergence-of-life-sciences-and-artificial-intelligence_november-2024.pdf?rev=bd08472ad0a641ba883d96278f84bc70&hash=143DAAB41B6103F0C0992A8693856871  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 Justin Prochnow, Partner in the Denver office of Greenberg Traurig. You’ll hear his thoughts on what FDA could be prioritizing in cosmetics and personal care products under new FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary; compliance and enforcement obstacles the agency is facing with MoCRA implementation; challenges companies are facing from class-action attorneys; the intersection of cosmetics and environmental regulation; and much more. In our headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments: Pharma: FDA will not require an Advisory Committee meeting for a new fibromyalgia treatment, potentially streamlining its approval process Medical Devices: Advocacy group says FDA should regulate “dangerous” prescription software platform as a medical device Food: FDA pushes back the compliance date of the Food Safety Modernization Act Section 204(d) Cosmetics: From Fortune, beauty industry giants plead with European Union to exclude American cosmetics from tariff war 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 Nancy Myers, CEO of Catalyst Healthcare Consulting, Inc., and former Special Assistant and Senior Strategic Advisor in FDA’s Office of the Commissioner, and Stuart Pape, Senior Partner and Chair of the FDA Practice at Polsinelli. Together, they discuss what companies should be doing now amid changes at FDA, including the recent confirmation of Dr. Marty Makary as the agency’s new commissioner; the potential effect of the agency’s consolidation of backroom functions such as IT and HR; what it means for FDA to lose such leaders as Drs. Peter Marks and Patrizia Cavazzoni; the impact of staffing reductions on inspections; and much more. This episode and all future 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 Dr. Susan Mayne, Adjunct Professor at the Yale School of Public Health and former Director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and Dr. Peter Lurie, President of the Center for Science in the Public Interest and former Associate Commissioner at FDA. You’ll hear their thoughts on what incoming FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary may be prioritizing in the food space, why it took FDA so long to ban Red Dye No. 3, the agency’s “healthy” claim final rule, where FDA stands with reducing sodium in human foods, the push to eliminate the self-affirmed GRAS pathway, and much more. In our headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments: Pharma: Drugs and biologics continue to be reviewed in a timely way, meeting the PDUFA dates, despite recent disruption Medical Devices: CDRH has been busy with device recalls lately, two of which were labeled as Class I Food: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Directs FDA to Explore Rulemaking to Eliminate Pathway for Companies to Self-Affirm Food Ingredients Are Safe Cosmetics: PCPC Applauds Reintroduction of Humane Cosmetics Act 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 Jennifer Newberger, Director at Hyman Phelps, and Michael Gaba, Vice Chair of the FDA practice at Polsinelli. You’ll hear their thoughts on how to interact with FDA officials under the new administration; anticipated changes in the review and approval of PMAs, 510ks, and de novo applications; clinical trial requirements for SaMD; and much more. In our headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments: Pharma: FDA approves Merilog, a biosimilar to Novolog for the improvement of glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus  Medical Devices: Lobby Urges HHS To Rethink Trump’s FDA CutsFood: 2.4 Million Cases of Popular Granola Bars Recalled Due to ‘Potential Presence of Metal’Cosmetics: PCPC President & CEO Tom Myers Discusses how the Beauty Industry is Innovating with AI, Sustainability, and Transparency 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.

Shelly and Wayne chat with Steve Grossman, President of HPS Group and author of “FDA Matters: The Grossman FDA report,” and Anthony Brogno, Director of Clinical Operations at Lindus Health. You’ll hear their thoughts on how drug development, drug approvals, and clinical trials could be evolving under the new administration’s FDA; priorities in clinical trails for the new FDA Commissioner; the intersection of budget and the FDA’s use of artificial intelligence in its review systems; and much more. In our headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments: Pharma: FDA Holds Virtual Public Workshop on Cell Therapies and Tissue-Based Products Devices: FDA Issues the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) 2024 Annual Report Food: FDA Publishes New Food Contamination Prevention Strategy Cosmetics: FDA Plan on Banning Certain Hair-Straightening Chemicals in Limbo In our Resource Links segment, we listed 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 Janet Woodcock, M.D., former FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner. Woodcock shares her expert insights on the agency’s approach to navigating the current regulatory environment, the increasing role of artificial intelligence in FDA decision-making, and the future of the agency’s staffing, resources, and regulatory frameworks. This episode and all future bonus episodes do not include the usual Headlines and Resource 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 episode, Shelly and Wayne chat with Will Woodlee, Managing Partner at Kleinfeld, Kaplan & Becker, LLP, and David Lennarz, President of Registrar Corp. You’ll hear their thoughts on the top priorities in cosmetics regulation for the next FDA Commissioner and their insights on all things MoCRA, including how it intersects with ingredient transparency and the clean beauty movement, how the modernized framework might be enforced, and its overall impact on businesses, consumers, and industry. In our headlines segment, Shelly and Wayne delve into these major developments: Pharma: Commissioner Califf Reflects on COVID-19 Devices: AdvaMed Praises Congressional AI Task Force Food: FDA Amends Color Additive Regulations for FD&C Red No. 3 Cosmetics: PCPC Webinar Focuses on Sustainability In our Resource Links segment, we listed 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.