Katherine Szarama, who joined the FDA last year to serve as Vinay Prasad’s deputy, will now fill his shoes at CBER.
Alex Hogan/STAT
By Lizzy Lawrence
April 30, 2026
FDA Reporter
Lizzy Lawrence
After his predecessor's turbulent tenure, Karim Mikhail is working to restore staff morale and revisit controversial rejections.
The departure of Vijay Kumar follows a broader leadership shakeup at the FDA.
Prasad, an oncologist who was a fierce critic of U.S. COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates, was named the center's director in May.
Prasad, an oncologist who was a fierce critic of U.S. COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates, was named the center's director in May.
Following Vijay Kumar’s exit, acting CBER Director Karim Mikhail will also oversee a review office that has become a battleground…
Vinay Prasad is leaving his post as director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
