WSU veterinarian Dr. Michael Court appointed to FDA Science Board

Washington State University veterinarian Dr. Michael Court has been appointed to serve on a key government advisory board that provides guidance and recommendations on complex scientific and technical issues to the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Court's four-year appointment to the 21-member Science Board runs into 2027.

"This committee comprises highly renowned experts from various fields, including academia, industry and government, so it is quite an honor for me to be appointed," Court said. "This appointment also reflects on the stature of Washington State University, particularly the College of Veterinary Medicine."

In a career spanning nearly four decades, Court has established himself as a leading expert in veterinary pharmacology. Since joining the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012, where he serves as a professor and holds the William R. Jones Endowed Chair, Court has focused his research primarily on the genetics of drug response in both humans and companion animals. Notably, he recently developed and commercialized the first genetic test to identify dogs at risk for potentially fatal bleeding following major surgery.

Court was nominated to the Science Board by the FDA's chief scientist, Dr. Namandjé N. Bumpus, who had previously worked with him on National Institutes of Health study panels.

As the only current member of the Science Board with a veterinary background, Court brings a unique and valuable perspective.

"There are plenty of pharmacology experts on the board, but none of them really has the veterinary perspective," Court said. "I've had my hand in lots of different areas of research, from human to veterinary, so I bring a wealth of experience that enables me to really understand the issues that the FDA faces in terms of regulation."

During his first meeting in October, the board discussed at length animal welfare and reducing reliance on animal testing for medical and cosmetic products, a topic of particular interest to Court. The board focused on the FDA's New Alternative Methods (NAMs) program, which was established in 2022 with the goal of advancing the three Rs of replacing, reducing and refining animal testing.

The board recommended creating a centralized office to oversee the adoption of NAMs, including alternatives such as in vitro cell models that could potentially replace some animal testing. The office would coordinate the evaluation and implementation of these methods across FDA programs.

"As someone deeply involved in animal welfare, I'm excited to see the FDA take concrete steps toward reducing animal use in research," said Court, who also chairs the committee committed to animal care and welfare standards in teaching and research at WSU. "These new methods offer a path forward for more humane and efficient testing."