Context:

Dr. George Tidmarsh, head of the FDA's drug center, resigned amid an investigation into serious concerns regarding his personal conduct. His departure follows allegations from Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, which claimed he used his position to settle personal grievances against the company's board chair, Kevin Tang, leading to significant stock losses for Aurinia. Tidmarsh's resignation reflects ongoing instability within the FDA, which has faced numerous leadership changes and staff losses in recent months. The implications of his actions and the ongoing lawsuit could further impact the FDA’s credibility. Future developments may hinge on the outcome of the lawsuit and the agency's efforts to restore trust in its leadership.

Dive Deeper:

• Tidmarsh was placed on leave after the Office of General Counsel at the Department of Health and Human Services raised concerns about his conduct, leading to his resignation shortly thereafter.

• Aurinia Pharmaceuticals filed a lawsuit claiming Tidmarsh made defamatory statements during his tenure at the FDA, alleging he pursued a vendetta against its board chair, Kevin Tang.

• The lawsuit alleges that Tidmarsh's LinkedIn post about Aurinia's kidney drug caused a 20% drop in the company's stock, resulting in over $350 million in losses.

• Tidmarsh, who had a history in the pharmaceutical industry and served as an adjunct professor at Stanford, was brought to the FDA after meetings with Commissioner Marty Makary.

• The FDA has experienced significant turnover, losing over 1,000 employees from its drug center in the past year, raising questions about stability and effectiveness.

• In July, another high-profile FDA official, Dr. Vinay Prasad, resigned and was briefly reinstated after pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

• Tidmarsh's unusual public comments about specific drugs on social media have raised ethical concerns, highlighting the complex relationship between FDA officials and the pharmaceutical industry.