HHS replaces director charged with COVID-19 vaccines and drug development

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have announced that it has replaced Rick Bright as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). BARDA is the U.S. agency charged with developing drugs and vaccines for COVID-19.

Bright was director of BARDA since 2016. He has reportedly been moved to a new public-private partnership under the National Institutes of Health.

BARDA serves under the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.

Bright will be replaced by Gary Disbrow, his former deputy, who will serve as acting director of BARDA.

Read the full STAT report