George Tidmarsh appointed to lead FDA drug review division amid staffing cuts and scrutiny over accelerated approvals and drug advertising rules.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration named ex-biotech exec George Tidmarsh as its chief drug regulator. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary called Tidmarsh an "accomplished physician-scientist and leader."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Monday it has appointed George Tidmarsh, a seasoned biotech executive and longtime Stanford University professor, as the director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.