Peter Marks, the former head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), has joined Eli Lilly as senior vice president of molecule discovery and head of infectious disease. Marks, who held his position at the federal agency for nearly a decade, reportedly clashed with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy. His departure from the FDA in early 2023 followed high-profile disagreements with RFK Jr., culminating in a resignation letter criticizing what he called an “unprecedented assault on scientific truth.”
During his tenure, Marks advocated for accelerated approval pathways for rare diseases and gene therapies, playing a key role in the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines. His move to Eli Lilly, a company he previously regulated, has drawn scrutiny over the “revolving door” between government and industry. Critics highlighted the irony of Marks transitioning from regulator to corporate leadership, echoing similar shifts by former FDA officials like Scott Gottlieb and Patrizia Cavazzoni.
Marks’ career at the FDA was marked by contentious decisions, including overruling staff on approvals such as the Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm and COVID-19 vaccine boosters. While federal officials credited him with shaping Operation Warp Speed, his tenure remained polarizing. The transition to Eli Lilly underscores ongoing debates about conflicts of interest in public health leadership.
