A bipartisan group of U.S. representatives has called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide detailed information regarding clinical trials conducted by major U.S. biopharmaceutical companies in conjunction with entities linked to China's People's Liberation Army (PLA). The request, made in a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, raises concerns about potential ethical and national security implications stemming from these collaborations.
The representatives, including Reps. John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, highlighted that some U.S. firms have partnered with PLA healthcare facilities, including a hospital directly operated by the PLA's Academy of Military Medical Sciences. The academy is on the Commerce Department's Entity List, which restricts technology transfer to it due to national security concerns. The letter emphasizes that early-stage clinical trial data, including the chemical composition of therapeutics, constitutes highly sensitive information.
The letter notes that the FDA has previously declined to approve oncology treatments based on clinical trial data exclusively from Chinese sites, suggesting similar scrutiny should apply to work done with the PLA. The representatives have posed seven questions to the FDA, seeking clarity on the extent of the agency's review of PLA-affiliated facilities, instances where the FDA notified U.S. companies about PLA collaborations, and the metrics used to assess intellectual property and technology transfer risks in such research settings. The FDA's response was requested by October 1.
Concerns Over Data Integrity and Ethical Standards
The representatives' letter also voiced concerns about clinical trials conducted in Xinjiang, where the Chinese Communist Party is accused of forcing ethnic minorities to participate in medical procedures that may overlap with FDA-approved research. The letter questions whether the FDA has notified any U.S. biopharmaceutical organization that it has conducted studies with the PLA or in the Xinjiang region and if companies were responsive.
Broader Implications for Research Compliance
The inquiry underscores the increasing scrutiny of international research collaborations and the need for robust oversight to ensure ethical standards and protect intellectual property. The FDA's response could set a precedent for how the agency evaluates clinical trial data from studies involving entities with potential ties to foreign military organizations.
