John Jenkins, director of CDER’s Office of New Drugs, plans to retire Jan. 6, 2017, after nearly 25 years of service to the FDA.

Jenkins has led OND since January 2002, managing over 1,000 people that set standards for safety and efficacy, oversee clinical testing, and review marketing applications. His office also runs the agency’s biosimilar review program.

In an email announcing his retirement to staff, CDER Director Janet Woodcock said that Jenkins and his office “have successfully navigated many high-profile controversies related to new drugs — while at the same time having thousands of interactions with industry and other stakeholders, and making timely decisions about INDs and NDAs.”