By Dean Seal
Athira Pharma has agreed to pay over $4 million to settle the government's claims that it failed to report alleged research misconduct to federal agencies.
The Department of Justice said Monday that between 2016 and June 2021, Athira failed to report allegations that former Chief Executive Leen Kawas falsified scientific images in her doctoral dissertation, as well as published research papers referenced in grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health.
The NIH funded a grant to the company in 2019 based on an application that included manipulated scientific images, the DOJ said.
Athira has agreed to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act. Of the total payment, about $200,000 will go to Andrew Mallon, who brought claims on behalf of the U.S. government as a whistleblower.
A representative for Athira didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Write to Dean Seal at dean.seal@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 06, 2025 17:58 ET (22:58 GMT)
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