The FDA appointed George Tidmarsh, an accomplished biotech executive and Stanford professor with expertise spanning oncology and pediatrics, as director of its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Tidmarsh brings extensive drug development experience, including CEO roles in biopharma and a record of leading approvals. His appointment comes as the agency faces intensifying scrutiny of drug review processes and regulatory challenges for gene therapies and other novel products. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary praised him for his scientific, regulatory, and operational insight to stabilize the center.