A bipartisan U.S. House committee has launched a national security investigation into AbbVie's clinical drug trials in China. The probe, led by the House Select Committee on the CCP, is examining potential ethical and security risks associated with AbbVie's research, particularly at sites in the Xinjiang region and at hospitals affiliated with China's military.
Lawmakers are concerned about the potential transfer of American intellectual property to the Chinese military and ethical issues, including lapses in securing informed consent from trial participants. The committee noted AbbVie has sponsored or collaborated on over 100 studies in China since 2007, including at least 17 sites in Xinjiang and 16 at military centers.
While the committee's letter states there is no evidence of wrongdoing by AbbVie, it requests the company provide details on its due diligence and data protection processes by July 17. AbbVie has declined to comment on the investigation.