Story highlights Gottlieb would assume oversight of the agency responsible for approving new drugs

The FDA also supervises medical products, vaccines and cosmetics

Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump plans to nominate Scott Gottlieb, a conservative physician with deep ties to the pharmaceutical industry, as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a White House official said Friday.

Gottlieb would assume oversight of the agency responsible for approving new drugs, as well as regulating food safety and tobacco products. The FDA also supervises medical products, vaccines and cosmetics.

Gottlieb worked at the FDA during President George W. Bush's administration in deputy roles. He's currently a partner at venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates and has served as a consultant to several drug companies and biotechnology firms. He also sits on several boards and serves as adviser to several pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's largest.

Gottlieb is seen as a more mainstream pick from the pool President Donald Trump was reportedly considering, but one some liberal groups are still expressing disappointment in the pick.

"President Trump's FDA pick Scott Gottlieb is entangled in an unprecedented web of Big Pharma ties. He has spent most of his career dedicated to promoting the financial interests of the pharmaceutical industry and the US Senate must reject him," said Dr. Michael Carome, director of the Public Citizen's Health Research Group, in a statement

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