Austria's Regulatory Chief Secures Top EMA Job

Dr. Christa Wirthumer-Hoche has been elected as the new chair of the Management Board of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The post is for a three-year period, and she succeeds Kent Woods, who stepped down as chair of the Board in December.

Wirthumer-Hoche has been head of the Austrian Medicines and Medical Devices Agency since October 2013, and has served as vice-chair of EMA’s Management Board since March 2015. She is also co-chair of the EU Network Training Center that was launched in January 2015 and has served as chair of EMA’s Active Substance Master File Working Group.

“As chair, my ambition is to ensure a strong partnership between EMA, the European Union national competent authorities and the European Commission to guarantee that EMA is able to fulfil its important role of safeguarding human and animal health in Europe,” said Wirthumer-Hoche, who holds a doctorate from the Technical University of Vienna and a diploma in chemistry and biochemistry.

The Management Board sets the EMA’s budget, approves the annual work program, and is responsible for ensuring that the agency works effectively and co-operates successfully with partner organizations across the EU and beyond.

In her statement dated October 19, 2015, Wirthumer-Hoche declared no conflicts of interest. Her replacement as the vice-chair has not been announced yet.