Insider trading scandal hits academic medicine

The news that researchers at a number of major academic research centers sold investors access to clinical trial data is getting major media play this morning. Reporters at the Seattle Times uncovered 26 cases in which researchers sold access to their work for large consulting fees, and the stock prices of the affected companies moved markedly before the official results were announced. The New York Times features the story today. In response to the news, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) asked the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate. One major fear is that researcher's financial interests could actually alter the outcome of trials.

- see this story from The New York Times
- read this special report from the Seattle Times on drug industry secrets