Full Breakdown
U.S. House Committee Probes Chinese Clinical Trials by Major Drugmakers
7/1/2026, 2:35:53 AM
Investigation Overview
On June 30, 2026 the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, chaired by Rep. John Moolenaar, sent letters to Merck, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb demanding details on due-diligence, data-protection and site-inspection for trials in China, especially in Xinjiang and at People’s Liberation Army hospitals. Committee says no illegal activity found but warns of ethical and security risks.
Context
China now leads drug development. Its share of early-drug-development programs rose from 8 % in 2015 to 32 % in 2024, while the U.S. share fell from 48 % to 37 %. A January 2024 McKinsey analysis notes Chinese sites enroll patients 2-5 × faster than U.S. sites. The National Security Commission warned that China’s integrated biotech ecosystem could challenge U.S. leadership.
Companies
Merck ran 224 studies in China (31 in Xinjiang, 40 at PLA hospitals); AbbVie over 100 (17 Xinjiang sites, 16 military centers); Eli Lilly more than 220 (11 Xinjiang trials, 16 at PLA hospitals). Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb received letters; counts undisclosed.
Official Responses
Merck reaffirmed safety; AbbVie declined comment; Pfizer confirmed receipt; Eli Lilly said it is reviewing the request; Bristol-Myers Squibb gave no comment. Chinese embassy called the inquiry “nothing credible” and opposed politicizing trade.
Criticism & Opposition
Human-rights groups say trials in Xinjiang risk violating informed-consent and involve forced medical testing of Uyghurs. They warn research at PLA-affiliated hospitals could expose biotech to the Chinese military, raising national-security concerns.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Committee says no evidence of wrongdoing, yet several firms have not supplied full documentation and some (Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb) have acknowledged receipt. Chinese embassy disputes this, and Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act does not cover clinical trials, leaving a regulatory gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Through a combination of regulatory reforms, state subsidies, and (at best) questionable ethics, China has transformed itself into the cheapest and fastest place in the world to run early-stage human drug trials,” — Rep. John Moolenaar, Chair, House Select Committee on China
- “Conducting this research at PRC military hospitals puts the cutting-edge, biotechnology intellectual property of American companies at potential risk of being transferred to the Chinese military,” — Rep. John Moolenaar, Chair, House Select Committee on China
- “The United States is engaged in a fierce biotechnology competition with the People's Republic of China,” — Rep. John Moolenaar, Chair, House Select Committee on China
- “The letters note that Xinjiang is the epicenter of Beijing's "genocide" targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities.” — House Select Committee on China letter
What’s Next
Moolenaar is sponsoring the Biotech Investment National Security Act, which would add biotech to outbound-investment reviews under Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act. The Biosecure Act, signed by President Donald Trump, limits dealings with non-U.S. biotech firms. July 17 deadline will determine whether hearings or steps follow.
