Jeffrey A. Newman
Around April of 2024, information surfaced in Congress suggesting major Chinese companies may have passed sensitive U.S. intellectual information to the Chinese government. A New York Times Article said that WuXi App Tec is one of several companies that lawmakers have identified as potential threats to the security of individual Americans genetic information and U.S. intellectual property. Although a Senate Committee approved a bill called the Biosecure Act, the bill was not passed when the votes were taken.
According to the Times, Wuxi makes all of the main ingredients for major pharmaceutical therapies and said that the bill was not something major pharma companies wanted passed due to their reliance on the company.
In March, Reuters published an article which said that U.S. intelligence officials told senators working on the bill that WuXi had transferred U.S. intellectual property to Beijing without consent. The concern was that the information may be used by China’s military. The briefings were apparently classified and there has been little information since the bill was killed over concerns that the pharma companies would not be able to produce the major drugs for their pipeline products for various diseases. The Chinese companies have said the legislation contains false, misleading and unfounded allegations.
WuXi AppTec, is bases in California, Delaware and Massachusetts . It makes molecules and tests them in the lab and in animals that US pharma companies base their medications . However, aritcles have alleged that investigations have shown that private genetic sequences via blood samples, DNA data, and individuals’ medical histories have landed in Chinese companies’ hands due to hacks and corporate mergers. Given the sensitivity of the information, it was expected that more information about the depth of the possible hacks would surface. However, there has been very little information about whether an investigation is still being conducted and if so by what agencies. We need to know the details to best weigh whether the loss of any sentive information outweighs the efforts to stop passage of laws protecting the U.S. interests.
Jeff Newman JD MBA, represents whistleblowers nationwide relating to customs and tariff fraud concerning imported Chinese goods as well as corporate whistleblowers in major claims under the False Claims Act (Qui Tam), and SEC, CFTC and FINCEN whistleblower programs. He can be reached at Jeff@JeffNewmanLaw.com or at 617-823-3217
