By Sneha S K and Siddhi Mahatole

(Reuters) -Peter Marks, the former top vaccine regulator who was ousted from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this year, has joined Eli Lilly, the drugmaker told Reuters on Tuesday.

Marks will oversee molecule discovery and infectious diseases at Lilly, starting this month.

“Peter’s expertise strengthens our abilities across multiple areas, both in our existing portfolio and in our work in emerging areas,” the company said.

Marks, who played a key role in U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term in developing COVID-19 vaccines, resigned in March after being forced out by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Shares of U.S. drugmakers fell, when reports on Marks’ ouster from the FDA first came out in late March.

As director of the FD

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