FDA Drug Chief Resigns Over 'Serious Concerns About His Personal Conduct'

Benzinga

FDA drug chief Dr. George Tidmarsh resigned amid an internal review into alleged misconduct, following a lawsuit from Aurinia Pharmaceuticals accusing him of defamation. Aurinia’s stock plunged 20% after Tidmarsh criticized its kidney drug on LinkedIn. His exit adds to turmoil at an FDA division already facing heavy staff losses.

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00:00It's Benzinga, bringing Wall Street to Main Street.

00:02FDA drug chief Dr. George Tidmarsh resigned Sunday after officials began reviewing serious concerns

00:08about his personal conduct, according to the AP.

00:11Tidmarsh was placed on leave on Friday and stepped down on Sunday.

00:14That same day, Orinia Pharmaceuticals filed a lawsuit accusing him of using his position

00:18to pursue a personal vendetta against the company's board chair, Kevin Ting.

00:23It soon alleges Tidmarsh made false and defamatory statements about Orinia's kidney drug,

00:28which lost 20% of market value following his LinkedIn post claiming it lacked clinical benefit.

00:33Tidmarsh's departure marks and other leadership shakeup at the FDA division

00:36already hit by over 1,000 staff departures in the past year.

00:40For all things money, visit Benzinga.com.

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