Guido Rasi’s three-year leadership of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has come to a premature end after a European court annulled his appointment.
The European Union Civil Service Tribunal ruled that Rasi’s 2011 selection as executive director of the regulator in 2011 was invalid after a case was made against the selection procedure.
Deputy executive director Andreas Pott will take the helm on a temporary basis while the EMA and the European Commission take legal advice as to next steps.
Professor Sir Kent Woods, chair of the management board at the EMA, said: “I note with regret today’s judgement by the European Union Civil Service Tribunal.
“It is important to remember that the ruling is about a procedural formality. It is not a reflection on Guido Rasi’s competence or ability to run the Agency, something which he has done successfully since November 2011.”
The case was brought to court at the beginning of 2012 by Emil Hristov – a medicines regulator from Bulgaria – who appealed against the decision by the EC to omit him from the shortlist of candidates when deciding who to select as executive director.
This procedure was annulled by the court, meaning Rasi’s subsequent appointment as executive director was also annulled.
The news continues a bad week for the EMA which is facing questions from a European ombudsman over the redaction of clinical study reports (CSRs) for AbbVie’s Humira.