Richard Pazdur

Director, Office of Hematology and Oncology Products
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research United States Food and Drug Administration

Richard Pazdur is Director of Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research of the USFDA, formed in 2005 to consolidate review of drugs and therapeutic biologics for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer; and the review of drugs and therapeutic biologics for hematologic diseases and for medical imaging. His position facilitates coordination of oncology activities across all FDA Centers ensuring ongoing outreach and collaboration between FDA, National Cancer Institute, and other cancer-related organizations within and outside the government. He was Director of Division of Oncology Drug Products from September 1999 to May 2005. Prior, Dr. Pazdur was Professor of Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; on the faculty of the MD Anderson Cancer Center 1988-1999. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, he held administrative positions of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Director of Clinical Trials Administration (Division of Medicine) and Director of Educational Programs (Division of Medicine). His main research interests are in clinical trial design and drug development of anti-cancer agents in advanced colorectal cancer. He has performed numerous phase I, II, III, and adjuvant therapy trials in this disease; has published over 400 articles, book chapters and abstracts. He was on the faculty of Wayne State University, Michigan 1982-1988. He received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University; his MD degree from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, and completed clinical training at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center and the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics.