Summary
Dr. George F. Tidmarsh, head of the FDA's drug division, resigned amid a lawsuit from Aurinia Pharmaceuticals. The lawsuit alleges that Tidmarsh used his position for personal reasons, making damaging claims about Aurinia's drug, causing their market value to drop. The case has raised concerns about the impartiality of drug regulation.
Key Facts
- Dr. George F. Tidmarsh resigned from the FDA on November 2, 2025.
- Aurinia Pharmaceuticals filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Tidmarsh.
- The lawsuit claims Tidmarsh targeted a former business associate through his actions at the FDA.
- Tidmarsh allegedly made false statements about Aurinia's drug, Lupkynis, on LinkedIn.
- These statements allegedly led to a significant drop in Aurinia's stock value.
- The Department of Health and Human Services started an ethics investigation before Tidmarsh's resignation.
- Lupkynis is a drug used to treat lupus nephritis, a serious kidney inflammation related to lupus.
- The complaint ties the LinkedIn post to a prior conflict involving Kevin Tang, Aurinia’s board chair.
