FDA Chief Says He Wants Gene Therapy Head Prasad to Return

US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said he’s trying to persuade Vinay Prasad, the agency’s former head of gene therapy and vaccines, to return to the FDA after his abrupt departure last week.

Makary told reporters Monday that media reports suggesting that Prasad was fired after intervention from the White House are “simply untrue.” He “didn’t want to be a distraction,” Makary said.