Genentech review of Tessier-Lavigne paper finds no evidence of fraud — but hints at a different misconduct case

South San Francisco biotech Genentech on Thursday announced that an internal review of misconduct allegations concerning a landmark 2009 paper co-authored by Marc Tessier-Lavigne, a former top executive at the company and Stanford University’s current president, did not find any evidence of fraud or intentional wrongdoing. But the review also points to another previously undisclosed case of scientific misconduct by a post-doctoral researcher in Tessier-Lavigne’s lab.

The investigation’s findings, detailed in a five-page document released by the company, note that none of more than 35 current or former employees interviewed reported observing or knowing of fraud related to the 2009 study in the journal Nature, whose lead author was a postdoc working for Tessier-Lavigne.

“I am not surprised by Genentech’s review, which directly and unequivocally refutes the false and hearsay rumors concerning the 2009 Nature paper and related research,” Tessier-Lavigne wrote in an email to STAT.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Already have an account? Log in

Individual plans

Group plans

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe

Log In