“Dr Prasad did not want to be a distraction to the great work of the FDA in the Trump administration and has decided to return to California and spend more time with his family,” an HHS spokesman said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

“We thank him for his service and the many important reforms he was able to achieve in his time at FDA,” the spokesman said.

STAT News first reported about Prasad’s departure, saying it came after a number of controversial decisions by the FDA regarding a gene therapy drug for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy manufactured by Sarepta Therapeutics.

The agency first halted shipments of the drug, called Elevidys, after the deaths of some recipients but rescinded the suspension on Monday.

In June, STAT News reported that Prasad was named as the health regulator’s chief medical and science officer, citing an internal memo.

In May, the FDA named Prasad, an oncologist who previously criticised FDA leadership and Covid-19 mandates, as the director of its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.