Richard Pazdur, MD​

Dr. Richard Pazdur is widely credited with transforming modern oncology drug regulation over a 26-year career at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He founded the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence in 2017 and served as its first director, where he led Project Orbis, the Real-Time Oncology Review pilot, and other landmark initiatives that reshaped how cancer therapies move from clinical trial to patient access. Across his FDA tenure, he oversaw the regulatory review of hundreds of cancer therapeutics — from the first targeted therapies through the era of immunotherapy, cell and gene therapies, and precision oncology. His work has influenced regulatory practice in cancer drug development worldwide.