FDA Chief Says He Wants Gene Therapy Head Prasad to Return

US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said he’s trying to persuade Vinay Prasad, the agency’s former head of gene therapy and vaccines, to return to the FDA after his abrupt departure last week.

Makary told reporters Monday that media reports suggesting that Prasad was fired after intervention from the White House are “simply untrue.” He “didn’t want to be a distraction,” Makary said.

Vinay Prasad

Source: US Food and Drug Administration/AP Photo

Prasad left the agency after a campaign against him by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who said he was a leftist saboteur. His departure also came a day after the agency lifted a pause ...