WSJ Reports on ReGen's Campaign Donations
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, APRIL 7, 2009
The WSJ published additional details of its investigation into ReGen Biologics' FDA clearance for its Menaflex meniscal implant. New information out this morning includes details of campaign donations from ReGen executives to the New Jersey politicians who stood behind ReGen in its long battle with the FDA.
The Journal alleges that New Jersey Congressmen Sen. Robert Menendez, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, Rep. Frank Pallone and Rep. Steve Rothman, as well as related political action committees, received campaign money from ReGen and then went on to lobby on behalf of the company to the FDA. The company also spent $200,000 to retain a lobbyist, which they hadn't done before 2007.
Connecticut resident and ReGen Chief Executive Gerald Bisbee donated $32,100 to the New Jersey candidates and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee between October 2007 and October 2008. ReGen's government-relations director donated $20,800, and the CFO contributed $2,500 to Mr. Menendez, who was not up for reelection in 2008.
In total, representatives of the company made about $50,000 in campaign contributions. The article adds that according to watchdog group the Center for Responsive Politics, these three executives combined made only two other political donations, totaling $6,000, this decade.
ReGen has responded to the Journal's previous article with a flurry of press releases defending Menaflex's clearance, though the paper is clearly still keen to unearth any omissions in ReGen's version of the "real story." As we noted when this story broke, the Journal's portrayal of ReGen's relationship with the FDA is likely an isolated example of a company's influence over the agency. However, with heightened pressure for transparency between the industry, the government and the public, this story is not likely to go away quickly. Currently, the Senate Finance Committee is investigating the Menaflex clearance, and in the House, Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) has asked the Energy and Commerce Committee to review it.
