To help with the transition to Biden’s COVID-19 response, Woodcock will retain some therapeutic development duties in the program the Trump administration had called Operation Warp Speed.

If not reversed by the Biden Administration, demo program that puts plans at increased risk in catastrophic phase would also enhance negotiating leverage for drugs in the protected classes.

President Biden’s picks to fill two commissioner posts may shift dynamics on pharmaceutical industry enforcement. Rohit Chopra’s nomination to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau removes strong critic of pharma mergers.