The FDA’s commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, told host Miranda Devine on “Pod Force One” that next‑generation therapies for several cancers and neurodegenerative diseases—including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS—are expected to hit the market within the coming years. He highlighted the agency’s drive to fast‑track drug approvals, noting his team is vigilantly tracking these promising treatments so they can reach patients as swiftly as possible.
“During this administration, you’ll see powerful cures for certain cancers and, I believe, for neurodegenerative disorders, some more specifically,” Makary said. When asked to name conditions, he listed Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS, adding that the FDA is actively surveying the pipeline for potent remedies.
Makary also spoke about the traditionally slow and expensive drug‑approval process, which can stall between ten and twelve years and cost upwards of $2–$3 billion. “We’re questioning that norm and have a new program that can deliver decisions in weeks,” he explained, stressing that the goal is still to keep safety a “top priority.” He emphasized the need to collaborate with manufacturers while maintaining an “impeccably independent” review process.
In an effort to cut through the red tape, Makary has urged the FDA to be more proactive in engaging researchers with potential breakthroughs, helping them navigate complications that usually bog down approvals. He cited a recent New England Journal of Medicine study showing a gene‑therapy device that could cure childhood deafness. “We saw the study, reached out, and enabled a priority‑review voucher in weeks,” he recalled.
The commissioner also noted past successes in accelerating approvals—such as the unprecedented speed of COVID‑19 vaccine development under “Operation Warp Speed” during the Trump administration—which normally takes five to ten years. While he questioned some earlier COVID‑19 policies, he remains committed to removing bureaucratic obstacles that hinder progress.
Makary is also pushing to eliminate unnecessary animal testing, a move that has raised controversy over the years, including criticism of former NIH director Anthony Fauci’s use of beagle puppies. He argues that computational models and organ‑on‑chip technology often provide more accurate data than animals, arguing that many drugs advanced for human use without exhibiting toxicity in animal models. By leveraging these modern techniques, the FDA hopes to spot more cures before they’re lost in outdated testing regimes.
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