The FDA appointed long‑time cancer regulator Richard Pazdur as director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). The agency announced the move after George Tidmarsh's abrupt resignation; multiple outlets report Pazdur’s experience leading oncology reviews drove the decision. BioCentury and other industry sources note Pazdur’s track record of accelerating approvals while enforcing post‑approval safety actions. Regulators and industry expect an immediate emphasis on oncology and complex biologics given Pazdur’s background; officials also said leadership would seek safeguards against political interference. The appointment creates near‑term momentum for CDER policy work and will influence ongoing accelerated approvals and oncology development paths.