White House announces a new acting FDA commissioner

The White House has tabbed an acting replacement for outgoing Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who announced his resignation last week and will leave the post next month. National Cancer Institute Director Ned Sharpless will step into the role as the Trump administration searches for Gottlieb's permanent successor, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar confirmed on Tuesday. Stat News noted that it's unclear whether Sharpless is a contender for the long-term job.

Stat News reports that Sharpless is "an enthusiastic supporter" of Gottlieb's fight to impose more regulations on tobacco and e-cigarettes and is already "well-acquainted" with the agency.

Prior to his tenure at the National Cancer Institute, Sharpless, a physician-scientist, ran the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina and co-founded two biotech companies.

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Gottlieb has already endorsed the choice, per CNBC. "Dr. Sharpless shares our mission and I know he will be embraced warmly by the Agency's professional staff," Gottlieb said.