PMI appoints Matthew Holman as Vice President of Regulatory Strategy

Sep.20.2022
PMI appoints Matthew Holman as Vice President of Regulatory Strategy
Matthew Holman leaves FDA role to become PMI's US Science Engagement and Regulatory Strategy VP as the company seeks to promote safer nicotine alternatives.

Matthew Holman has left his position at the FDA to become the Vice President of Scientific Engagement and Regulatory Strategy for PMI in the United States.


Of course, considering the tobacco companies are currently facing strict regulations and public scrutiny, these appointments are crucial. Badrul Chowdhury, who has worked at the FDA for over 20 years, has accepted the position of Chief Life Sciences Officer, while Matthew Holman has been appointed as Vice President of Science Engagement and Regulatory Strategy for the tobacco company in the United States.


In recent years, Philip Morris International (PMI) has been making efforts to improve its image and reputation by turning towards the sale of safer nicotine alternatives. Former CEO Andre Catantzopoulos believed that a smokeless future is possible and that achieving a consensus with the government and society is necessary through proper supervision and regulation. He stated that alternative nicotine products can be a part of effective tobacco policy. "Thanks to rapid progress in science and technology, and PMI's firm commitment, these products have now become a reality," he said.


Although current CEO of PMI, Jacek Olczak, has stated that the tobacco company intends to achieve its goal of 50% smoke-free product sales by 2025, he also claims the company is fully capable of replacing cigarettes with safer alternatives. "We have a leading portfolio of traditional and smoke-free tobacco products, an excellent management team, and an agile, efficient, and quick-learning organization. We are fully capable of continuing to succeed in our vision of replacing cigarettes with better alternatives for the benefit of consumers, shareholders, and society," he stated earlier this year, quoted by The Edge.


PMI is working hard to change its image.


Last year, PMI received criticism from the British Asthma Association and British Lung Foundation for their collaboration with asthma inhaler manufacturer Vectura. This move appeared hypocritical, as the investment was in a product that could help treat tobacco-related diseases.


Meanwhile, Altria has recently reiterated its plan to enter the healthcare field, stating that this is a natural evolution for tobacco companies. "This is a natural evolution for PMI to further transform our business into a more holistic lifestyle, consumer health, and healthcare company in the future. This evolution is not only fulfilling our continued commitment to a smoke-free future but also fulfilling the development and commercialization of scientifically validated products and solutions to meet unmet consumer and patient needs.


The market for health and wellness products is vast and constantly expanding. We have several key areas of focus in our pipeline. For consumers and over-the-counter healthcare products, we have several initiatives focused on concentration, sleep, energy, pain relief, and calmness. In the healthcare field, we believe that patients' demand for fast and effective treatments for cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and neurological conditions such as migraines has yet to be met, and innovative solutions can meet these needs. We recently accelerated this part of our strategy through the acquisition of Vectura, an innovative inhalation delivery solution provider, and Fertin, a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative drugs and healthcare products based on oral and intraoral delivery systems," said Alzack.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended solely for industry exchange and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The compilation of this article is solely for communication and research within the industry.


Due to limitations in translation abilities, the translated article may not fully express the original text, so please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government in regards to any statements or positions relating to domestic issues, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign affairs.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Glas Says FDA Scientific Review Backed Several Flavored Products Before Senior Leaders Blocked Them
Glas Says FDA Scientific Review Backed Several Flavored Products Before Senior Leaders Blocked Them
Glas says newly released internal FDA records show agency scientific reviewers supported authorization for several flavored G2 products before senior leadership halted them. According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, FDA’s Office of Science first recommended marketing authorization for all eight products in December 2025 and later supported six of them in February 2026. FDA ultimately authorized only the G2 device and one tobacco-flavored pod in March.
Apr.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jeju Health Center to Apply Conventional Tobacco Rules to Liquid E-Cigarettes From April 24
Jeju Health Center to Apply Conventional Tobacco Rules to Liquid E-Cigarettes From April 24
Jeju Health Center said it will apply the same regulations used for conventional tobacco products to all tobacco products, including liquid e-cigarettes, from April 24, while also strengthening public guidance and smoke-free zone management.
Apr.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Argentina’s New Nicotine Rules Draw Cautious Optimism and Market Concerns, Local Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate Says
Argentina’s New Nicotine Rules Draw Cautious Optimism and Market Concerns, Local Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate Says
Argentina’s new tobacco and nicotine framework marks a shift from prohibition toward registration, traceability and health surveillance. Argentine THR advocate Juan Facundo Teme told 2Firsts that adult consumers and parts of the local commercial sector are cautiously optimistic, but concerns remain over flavor limits, registration costs and market access. The policy’s implementation may determine whether Argentina can move informal sales into regulated channels.
May.11
Capital Group Takes 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Joining Major Foreign Shareholders
Capital Group Takes 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Joining Major Foreign Shareholders
KT&G disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday that Capital Research and Management Company, the investment management arm of Capital Group, had acquired a 5.61% stake through purchases made on April 22 and May 4. The move places Capital Group among KT&G’s prominent foreign shareholders, alongside BlackRock, First Eagle Investment Management and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%
Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%
According to the latest CAN report and multiple media reports, Sweden’s daily smoking rate fell to 4.8% in 2025, below the commonly used 5% smoke-free threshold, making it the first EU country to reach that benchmark.
News
Jun.05
Fifth Circuit Hears Challenge to FDA’s Standard for Reviewing Flavored Vape Applications
Fifth Circuit Hears Challenge to FDA’s Standard for Reviewing Flavored Vape Applications
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments on Tuesday in a case brought by seven small vape-liquid companies challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s denial of marketing authorization for their flavored electronic nicotine products.
Apr.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai