Letters led by Representative John Moolenaar seek details by July 17 on trial oversight in Xinjiang and military hospitals as Washington sharpens scrutiny of China-linked biotech activity.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has opened national security investigations into whether Merck and AbbVie were involved in clinical trials in China that may have supported the country’s military capabilities. In letters dated Monday, lawmakers led by Representative John Moolenaar of Michigan, chair of the China Select Committee, asked the companies to provide information by July 17 on due diligence, data protection and standards at trial sites in China, with particular focus on Xinjiang and military hospitals. Merck said patient safety and ethical integrity are priorities and that it follows global guidelines, while AbbVie declined to comment. China’s embassy in the U.S. rejected the allegations as lacking credibility and accused Washington of politicizing trade and technology issues. The inquiry adds to broader U.S. concern over China’s expanding biotech footprint, including the use of clinical trials as China has gained share in early drug development programs relative to the United States.