FDA Names Pazdur Director of New Oncology Office

The FDA's nationwide search for a director to lead its new Office of Oncology Drug Products (OODP) ended close to home, as the agency selected current FDA official Richard Padzur to run the office.

Padzur, currently director of the FDA's Division of Oncology Drug Products (DODP) in the Office of Drug Evaulation, will step into the new role May 1, the agency said in an April 22 announcement. An experienced medical oncologist, Padzur joined the FDA in 1999 after a distinguished career as a teacher and researcher at Wayne State University and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas.

The formation of the OODP was first announced last November as part of a larger reorganization of CDER's Office of New Drugs, which will house the new oncology office. The OODP isn't expected to begin formal operations until July, but the FDA said Padzur will begin his duties next month to help prepare for the office's opening.

The OODP will consolidate the review of drugs and therapeutic biologics for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer, as well as the review of drugs and biologics for hematologic diseases and medical imaging. Those activities were previously conducted separately by the DODP, the Division of Oncology Biologic Products and the Division of Medical Imaging and Hematology Drug Products, all of which will now be housed within the OODP.

The new office will also be tasked with leading a comprehensive program to facilitate coordination of oncology activities across all FDA centers, and ensuring ongoing outreach and collaboration between the FDA, the NIH's National Cancer Institute and other cancer-related organizations within and outside the government, the FDA said.