Pfizer 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.

Patrizia Cavazzoni, formerly the top regulator of the drug division of the FDA, will join Pfizer as chief medical officer.

After leaving the FDA, where she served as director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., is returning to her previous employer: Big Pharma Pfizer. | After leaving the FDA,