FDA on Monday announced the departure of Billy Dunn, director of the office of neuroscience, who is leaving the agency to "explore other opportunities," in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from Maryland, New York, and Ohio.

• Maryland: FDA on Monday announced the departure of Billy Dunn, director of the office of neuroscience, who is leaving the agency after more than 15 years. On Friday, Dunn notified agency officials of his departure, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation. "It is with regret that I announce the departure of Dr. Billy Dunn, director of the office of neuroscience," Peter Stein, head of FDA's office of new drugs, wrote in an internal email. "After a long and highly productive career in public service, Billy has decided to retire from FDA and explore other opportunities while continuing his focus on improving the lives of patients with neurological diseases." In recent years, Dunn oversaw the approval of Biogen's Alzheimer's treatment Aduhelm, the first FDA-approved drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the first pharmaceutical derived from cannabis, and the first therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. (Feuerstein/Garde, STAT+, 2/27 [subscription required])

• New York: Pfizer is in talks to purchase biotech firm Seagen — a deal that would mark the latest big drug company striving to add a promising class of cancer therapies to its lineup. Currently, the talks are at an early stage, and there is no guaranteed deal. Before the companies could come to an agreement, several hurdles would need to be addressed, including the potential for a strict antitrust review of any proposed deal. Any eventual deal between the companies would be significant. According to the Wall Street Journal, Seagen has a market value of around $30 billion and would likely require a premium purchase price. (Hopkins/Rockoff, Wall Street Journal, 2/27)

• Ohio: Last month, a train carrying chemicals and combustible materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing toxic gases into the environment of the surrounding areas. In the weeks following the derailment, many residents and workers near the site have been diagnosed with bronchitis and other conditions that healthcare professionals believe are associated with the chemical exposure. For example, Deborah Weese, a nurse practitioner at Quickmed Columbiana — one of closest urgent care clinics to East Palestine — said she has listed "exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals" as a potential cause of bronchitis or other conditions for patients who live or work near East Palestine. Each day, Weese said she sees around five to 10 people from the area who report symptoms consistent with chemical exposure. "They're complaining of burning to their lungs, nasal drainage, eyes burning, throat pain, unknown rashes that have started since they’ve been back to their homes," Weese said. (Bendix/Lozano, NBC News, 2/25)