Drugs

Former Deputy Commissioner Bumpus Joins Charles River

Former FDA principal deputy commissioner Namandjé N. Bumpus has been chosen by Charles River Laboratories to chair a new global scientific advisory board to guide the company’s strategy in advancing “new approach methodologies” (NAMs), non-clinical tools designed to improve the predictability of safety and efficacy while reducing reliance on animal testing. The company says the advisory board will focus on integrating a range of NAMs across therapeutic, preventive, and chemical substance testing, including:

In vitro human cell–based systems, such as organoids and organ-on-a-chip platforms that mimic human tissue behavior.
In silico computational toxicology and AI-driven predictive modeling for virtual screening and risk assessment.
In chemico assays that evaluate chemical reactivity without live cells or animals.

The company emphasizes that while broader adoption of NAMs will depend on regulatory acceptance, Charles River aims to play a leadership role in validating these methods and embedding them across industry.

Bumpus left the agency shortly before president Trump took office in January. She was named principal deputy commissioner in 2024, succeeding Janet Woodcock after her retirement She was named chief scientist 6/2022 after serving as E.K. Marshall and Thomas H. Maren Professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Previously, Bumpus was associate dean for basic research at the same school. “Bumpus’ research has focused on drug metabolism, pharmacogenetics, bioanalytical chemistry, and infectious disease pharmacology,” according to her bio.

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome