Tracey Beth Høeg was named acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), marking another leadership change amid ongoing agency turmoil. Høeg, a physician and epidemiologist linked in reporting to a network favoring stricter vaccine scrutiny, replaces Richard Pazdur, who filed retirement paperwork after a brief tenure. Industry and analysts warned the appointment could prompt departures and shift regulatory priorities. BioCentury reporting and analyst commentary flagged potential personnel attrition and a change in vaccine and drug-approval posture tied to broader policy moves promoted by allies of former FDA critics. Sources include agency minutes and BioCentury analysis. The move follows a string of CDER leadership turnovers this year, raising questions inside and outside industry about regulatory continuity for drugs, biologics, and complex modalities.