FDA Vaccine Chief Vinay Prasad Departs Agency Again

Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Food and Drug Administration’s head of vaccines and biologic medicines, will leave the agency at the end of April, marking his second departure in less than a year. The announcement was made on Friday, March 6, 2026, by FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary.

A History of Controversy

Prasad’s exit follows a series of controversies surrounding the FDA’s review processes for vaccines, gene therapies, and biotech drugs. Companies have criticized the agency for reversing decisions and, in some instances, requesting new trials for previously approved products. His first departure occurred in July, amid pressure from White House allies, including Laura Loomer, who questioned his political alignment CNN.

Recent Disputes

Recent disagreements included a refusal to review a new mRNA flu vaccine developed by Moderna, a decision that was later reversed with adjustments. The agency faced criticism over requests for additional trial data from UniQure, a company developing a gene therapy for Huntington’s disease. The FDA defended its decision in a public media call, challenging its critics Politico.

Return to Academia

Dr. Makary announced that Prasad will return to his academic position at the University of California, San Francisco. Prior to joining the FDA in May, Prasad was a vocal critic of the agency’s drug review standards AP News.

A Seemingly Contradictory Approach

Since joining the FDA, Prasad, alongside Dr. Makary, had advocated for streamlining the drug review process to expedite approvals for companies. However, his decisions also sparked debate and raised questions about the agency’s scientific rigor BioPharmaDive.

Future Leadership at CBER

Dr. Makary has not yet announced a replacement to lead the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). The search for a new leader will be closely watched by the pharmaceutical industry and patient advocacy groups.