John Crowley, CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, is among the leading candidates for the position of Food and Drug Administration commissioner, according to a June 24 note from RBC Capital Markets. The list also includes Heidi Overton, a former physician and health policy official within the U.S. military and Department of Defense health system who is currently deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy.
The report comes as Kyle Diamantas serves as interim FDA commissioner after taking over in an acting capacity for Marty Makary, who left the role on May 12. Diamantas has received positive feedback from stakeholders for stabilizing the agency following a year of instability under Makary. Scott Faber, senior vice president of the Environmental Working Group, told STAT News late last month that Diamantas has “earned the respect of career staff and the FDA stakeholder community.” However, RBC said that while Diamantas may remain in his acting role through early December, he is unlikely to be selected permanently, due to expectations that a subject matter expert with industry backing will ultimately fill the post.
RBC cited Bloomberg as reporting that Overton is being seriously considered by the Trump administration as a leading candidate. According to analysts at RBC, Overton’s impact on biopharma would be “uncertain” and would “depend heavily on direction from RFK, Jr. and White House.” The firm added she is “not a known champion of pro-innovation programs (CNPV, one-trial), but also not on record opposing them.”
Crowley was noted by RBC as having been vocal about FDA reform efforts including accelerating drug approvals and reducing regulatory barriers. At BIO’s 2026 International Convention in San Diego this week, Crowley addressed concerns about U.S.-China competition in biotech during a media session: “They’ve provided very great science, great services. We need to make sure though that we don’t fall into the trap of what they’re trying to create which are these inescapable dependencies where more and more we become dependent,” Crowley told media representatives.
According to RBC analysts, Crowley's appointment could have a "very positive" effect on biopharma companies focused on rare diseases but could also raise questions regarding impartiality due to his deep ties with industry groups such as BIO. They wrote: "His deep ties to industry could . . . raise questions about perceived impartiality on approvals." The firm also mentioned skepticism from patient safety advocates or Democratic senators if someone affiliated with BIO were nominated.
Other names listed by RBC include Stephen Ferrara from Health Affairs at Defense; Norman Sharpless at University of North Carolina School of Medicine; and Richard Pops from Alkermes. Despite speculation around potential nominees, RBC said it does not expect any near-term changes at FDA leadership.
