Micah Kandros/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

By Allison DeAngelis, Adam Feuerstein, Matthew Herper, Lizzy Lawrence, Nicholas St. Fleur, and Jonathan Wosen

Nov. 23, 2024

STAT reporters reached out to key figures in biotech, pharma, and medical devices to find out what they think about President-elect Trump’s pick of Johns Hopkins pancreatic surgeon Martin “Marty” Makary as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Makary, like Trump’s intended Health and Human Services selection, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is part of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, focused on addressing chronic disease. He was also a critic of some Covid-19 pandemic measure, including vaccine mandates.

These interviews have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. (Some spoke only on the condition that they not be identified.)

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Jerome Adams, former surgeon general

“I think Marty Makary is a reasonable pick to lead the FDA, and perhaps the least surprising or controversial of all of Trump’s health picks so far.”

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  1. Allison DeAngelis

    Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter

    Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud.

  2. Adam Feuerstein

    Senior Writer, Biotech

    Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard.

  3. Matthew Herper

    Senior Writer, Medicine, Editorial Director of Events

    Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils.

  4. Lizzy Lawrence

    FDA Reporter

    Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter.

  5. Nicholas St. Fleur

    General Assignment Reporter, Associate Editorial Director of Events

    Nicholas St. Fleur covered the intersection of race, medicine, and the life sciences. He hosted STAT’s health equity podcast, Color Code.

  6. Jonathan Wosen

    West Coast Biotech & Life Sciences Reporter

    Jonathan Wosen is STAT’s West Coast biotech & life sciences reporter.