CDC awards grant to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top FDA official

Experts have questioned the ethics and utility of a study on the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose.

December 19, 2025 Check out STAT+

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Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images STAT+ | FDA voucher program has become vehicle for political interference in drug review decisions, staffers say The "Commissioner's National Priority Review Program" is seen as having fast-tracked reviews but at the expense of career scientists' expertise. By Lizzy Lawrence CDC awards grant to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top FDA official The $1.6 million grant, to study the hepatitis B birth dose in Guinea-Bissau, has concerned experts who say the study design may be unethical. By Lizzy Lawrence and Helen Branswell STAT+ | White House unveils largest batch of drug pricing agreements yet Trump administration wants to match U.S. drug prices to peer nations, announces new deals with Amgen, Genentech, Gilead, GSK, Merck, Novartis, and Sanofi. By Daniel Payne and John Wilkerson SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images Opinion: Why Denmark's vaccine schedule works for Denmark — but not for the United States When it comes to vaccines, Denmark and the U.S. have fundamentally different health care systems, disease burdens, and policy priorities. By Jake Scott STAT+ | UnitedHealth proclaims audits show it has 'robust' procedures, in contrast to findings of independent reviews Audit reports fulfill CEO's transparency promise, but government audits and independent analyses have offered less rosy views of UHG By Tara Bannow and Bob Herman STAT+ | Former Pfizer R&D chief not so 'optimistic' about biopharma now Today's biotech news covers political influence in the FDA voucher program, a former Pfizer head's waning hope, and more. By Meghana Keshavan William Scott/Library of Congress Opinion: 5 lessons for U.S. research funding from the AIDS crisis In the '80s, AIDS researchers didn't wait for Washington for funding. Today's scientists must do the same. By Robert B. Shpiner STAT+ | BioMarin CEO says $4.8 billion Amicus deal will lead to cost savings and revenue growth In a Q&A, Alexander Hardy explains the strategy behind the purchase of another rare disease company: "There's an opportunity to drive rapid value." By Matthew Herper

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