EMA’s head of human medicines development steps down

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced that Dr Patrick Le Courtois is to retire as head of human medicines development and evaluation.

Dr Le Courtois (pictured right) will leave the regulatory body later this month after 16 years at the EMA, having joined in 1997 as human medicinal products head of unit support.

He then served as head of new chemical substance and head of scientific advice and orphan drugs before being appointed to the regulator's senior management team in 2001 when he became head of pre-authorisation evaluation of medicines for human use. He has been in his current position since 2009.

"Patrick's retirement brings to a close a remarkable career of 16 years of service to the Agency,” said Guido Rasi, executive director of the EMA.

“I would like to formally thank Patrick for his innumerable contributions to public health and for his resolute commitment to helping build a strong European medicines system.”

Prior to joining the EMA, Dr Le Courtois was head of oncology, anti-infectives and coordination of European Procedures at the regulatory agency for France having spent several years in the country's ministry of health.

The EMA did not say if a successor was lined up to replace Dr Le Courtois.