Califf appointed deputy commissioner of FDA

Robert Califf, a cardiologist and researcher at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, USA, was appointed as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco on March 2. Califf—who was previously overseeing the FDA’s drug, medical device and tobacco policy—is a recognized global leader in cardiology, clinical research and medical economics, according to the FDA. He was appointed by FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, who will leave the organization at the end of March, leading to speculation that Califf may be nominated to lead the FDA following her departure.

In his new role as deputy commissioner, Califf will provide executive leadership to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Tobacco Products, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. His duties will include providing policy direction and advice on the FDA’s medical product and tobacco priorities, and he will manage clinical, scientific and regulatory initiatives in areas ranging from pediatric science and personalized medicine to orphan drugs and the advisory committee system.

Califf previously served as vice chancellor of clinical and transnational research at Duke University, professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center’s Division of Cardiology, director of the Duke Transnational Medicine Institute and founding director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute, the world’s largest academic research organization. The Institute for Scientific Information has recognized Califf as one of the top 10 most-cited medical authors due to his more than 1,200 peer-reviewed publications.