Feb 24 (Reuters) - Pfizer ( PFE ) on Monday named the

former head of the U.S. health regulator's drug evaluation unit,

Patrizia Cavazzoni, as its chief medical officer, bringing back

an industry veteran to lead its regulatory and drug safety

operations.

Cavazzoni, who stepped down from her role at the Food and

Drug Administration in January, was among the top officials who

left ahead of the new administration under President Donald

Trump.

She will succeed Aida Habtezion, who will depart the company

to pursue other opportunities, and will report to Chris Boshoff,

Pfizer's ( PFE ) chief scientific officer and R&D head.

Cavazzoni headed clinical sciences and development

operations across multiple senior roles in her previous stint at

Pfizer ( PFE ).

She has also held several senior executive positions in the

pharmaceutical industry for nearly two decades, including at Eli

Lilly ( LLY ) and Sanofi.

Cavazzoni joined the FDA in 2018 and became director of its

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in 2021, where she led

the regulatory and policy decisions on prescription and

over-the-counter medicines.

Former U.S. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is a member of

Pfizer's ( PFE ) board.

Earlier this month, Pfizer ( PFE ) hired former Novartis

executive Jeffrey Legos as its chief oncology officer.

Pfizer ( PFE ) is going "all in" to develop its experimental obesity

drug and has been recruiting more experts in that area, CEO

Albert Bourla said in January.

The drugmaker, struggling since the windfall from demand for

its COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, has faced criticism from

activist investor Starboard Value over its big acquisitions, as

well as its disappointing internal research and development

operations.