The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to appoint two new deputy commissioners at the Food and Drug Administration, one focused on technology including healthcare and artificial intelligence, and another overseeing drugs.
The appointments remain under consideration and have not been formally announced, according to sources cited by CNBC. The leading candidate for the technology deputy commissioner role is Jared Seehafer, three sources familiar with the matter told CNBC.
The FDA’s commissioner role, currently held by acting chief Kyle Diamantas since May, is set to be filled by Heidi Overton, a White House policy aide named by President Donald Trump last week. Overton’s confirmation requires Senate approval.
The planned restructuring follows the resignation of former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary in May after 13 months in the role. Makary’s departure came amid reported clashes with White House officials over issues including flavored vapes, a stalled abortion-pill safety study, and public disputes with drugmakers.
Under acting leadership, the agency has reversed or reopened regulatory consideration for rare-disease therapies from companies including Regenxbio, uniQure, and Replimune. The FDA’s recent actions have also drawn attention to its approach to drug approvals, with additional scrutiny on firms such as Sarepta, Moderna, and Regenxbio.
The proposed appointments signal an effort to reorganize the agency’s leadership structure as it navigates evolving regulatory priorities and internal challenges.
