Covington & Burling LLP operates as a limited liability partnership worldwide, with the practice in England and Wales conducted by an affiliated
limited liability multinational partnership, Covington & Burling LLP, which is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States
and authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 77071..
Wade Ackerman advises companies and trade associations on complex and novel FDA regulatory issues, with a particular focus on cutting-edge technologies that require coordinated legal, regulatory, and public policy strategies. He works with clients across the life sciences and technology sectors—including those developing artificial intelligence, digital health tools, and other innovative technologies—helping them anticipate and navigate rapidly evolving federal, state and global regulatory frameworks.
With nearly two decades of experience in private practice and senior government roles, Wade brings deep insight into the interplay of innovation, health policy, and FDA regulation. Since 2017, he has co-led Covington’s multidisciplinary Digital Health Initiative, which draws on the firm’s global resources to advise companies harnessing data and technology to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Until June 2016, Wade served as Senior FDA Counsel to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee, where he played a central role in major FDA legislative initiatives, oversight hearings, and policy development. He helped negotiate key provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act, shaping reforms to FDA’s review and approval of drugs, devices, and digital health software.
Earlier in his career, Wade served for more than five years as Associate Chief Counsel within FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, advising the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Office of Commissioner (OC) on a wide range of drug regulatory and policy issues. He was also involved in developing and implementing significant reforms, including the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA) of 2012 and the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA) of 2013.
Advised global healthcare company GSK on FDA regulatory components of the company's $300 million equity investment and collaboration with genetic testing and data science company 23andMe -- a collaboration focused on R&D of new medicines, using human genetics as the basis for discovery.
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