Vinay Prasad, head of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) overseeing vaccines and biologics, will leave the agency at the end of April 2026.23
Prasad's departure was confirmed by HHS spokesperson and first reported by the Wall Street Journal; FDA Commissioner Marty Makary praised his reforms and stated a successor will be named soon.23
His tenure was tumultuous, involving stricter vaccine guidelines, denials of rare disease drugs like UniQure's Huntington’s therapy, and prior conflicts over gene therapies.13
Prasad, a UCSF professor and critic of COVID policies, succeeded Peter Marks in May 2025 after Marks resigned citing issues with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.13
His exit is viewed positively by biotech investors, with shares of rare disease firms like UniQure rising, though it highlights ongoing regulatory volatility.3
Sources:
1. https://www.thecardiologyadvisor.com/news/dr-vinay-prasad-to-head-fda-vaccine-biologics-division/
2. https://www.axios.com/2026/03/06/fda-vaccine-vinay-prasad-hhs
3. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/vinay-prasad-fda-depart-cber-vaccines-makary/814121/