The FDA's Overton era, and dispatches from Shanghai

China now drives roughly a third of global drug development while the FDA rebuilds under a new, low-profile commissioner nominee after losing 20% of staff.

• Overton nominated: Trump tapped Heidi Overton, 37, a Domestic Policy Council deputy director, to be FDA commissioner; if confirmed she'd be the youngest ever.
• FDA staffing crisis: The agency lost ~20% of its workforce in 2025 (down to ~16,000 from a high of 20,000) amid DOGE cuts and career-scientist departures.

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