News Brief: FDA Appoints Dr. George Tidmarsh as Director of CDER
On Jul. 21, 2025, the U.S. FDA appointed George Francis Tidmarsh, M.D., Ph.D., a Stanford
University faculty member, as the new Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). This leadership change places Dr. Tidmarsh at the helm of the agency’s efforts to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of drugs available
to the American public.
Dr. Tidmarsh brings over three decades of experience in biotechnology, clinical medicine and regulatory science. He has led the development of seven FDA-approved drugs and founded multiple biopharmaceutical companies focused on oncology and critical care. A Stanford-trained pediatric oncologist and neonatologist, he also co-founded the university’s Master of Translational Research and Applied Medicine (M-TRAM) program, which bridges scientific discovery and clinical application.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. praised Tidmarsh’s appointment, citing his deep expertise across the drug development pipeline and his commitment to innovation and mentorship. As CDER Director, Dr. Tidmarsh is expected to strengthen drug review programs and advance cross-agency initiatives aimed at improving public health outcomes.
This appointment marks a pivotal step in the FDA’s ongoing mission to foster innovation while safeguarding public health (1).