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# Top FDA Legislative Official Leaving Agency
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/top-fda-legislative-official-leaving-agency/
- Published: 2019-01-11T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T00:54:00.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5143136

FDA principal associate commissioner for legislative affairs **John Martin** is departing to lead the government affairs unit at CRISPR Therapeutics, a leading gene editing company focused on developing gene-based medicines for serious diseases using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 platform.

Martin joined FDA in 2017 and directed the negotiation to reauthorize user fees. Previously, he worked for U.S. Senator **Tom Cotton** (R-AK), serving most recently as his legislative director where he focused primarily on health care, domestic policy issues, and floor strategy to advance Cotton’s priorities.

Until a replacement is named, FDA legislative director for appropriations **Maren McBride** will serve as acting legislative head.