President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Stephen Hahn, MD, CMO of MD Anderson Cancer Center, to lead the Food and Drug Administration, according to biotech news site BioCentury.
Dr. Hahn, a practicing radiation oncologist, was interviewed for the post by President Trump a month ago. People familiar with the decision told the publication that the nomination will be announced after routine background checks.
Dr. Hahn has worked at Houston-based MD Anderson since 2015, when he started as chair of the radiation oncology department. Before that, he was a professor in the radiation oncology department at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Dr. Hahn would take the reins from acting commissioner Ned Sharpless, MD, who stepped into the role after the resignation of Scott Gottlieb, MD.
Dr. Sharpless would stay in the role until the Senate confirms the permanent commissioner.
If Dr. Hahn is selected, Dr. Sharpless would likely return to his former position as director of the National Cancer Institute, according to BioCentury.
Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, President Trump is required to nominate a permanent commissioner by Nov. 1.
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