Philip Morris LogoCigarette maker Philip Morris (NYSE:PM) announced today that it appointed two former FDA officials to leadership positions.

Dr. Badrul Chowdhury is the company’s new chief life sciences officer for smoke-free products. Dr. Matthew Holman joins as VP of U.S. scientific engagement and regulatory strategy.

Both appointments fall in line with the company’s efforts to push its science-based transition to “smoke-free” technology. Last year, the multinational tobacco company agreed to acquire inhaled drug delivery company Vectura for $1.2 billion. The news of the acquisition was met with criticism, including from the American Lung Association. The ALA called the purchase “the latest reprehensible choice from a company that has profited from addicting users to its deadly products.”

The company announced the Vectura acquisition in July 2021. A month later, Philip Morris acquired OtiTopic and its late-stage dry powder inhalation technology.

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