Ousted AveXis scientist defends his name in Novartis data scandal

Brian Kaspar isn’t taking to the role of fall guy.

The former AveXis chief scientist, ousted in Novartis’s ongoing data falsification scandal, said through an attorney yesterday that he denies any wrongdoing and is “prepared to assert his rights and defend his conduct accordingly.”

Kaspar’s statement follows news last week that Novartis dismissed him and his scientist brother amid an internal investigation into manipulated data related to the gene therapy Zolgensma, a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy.

It’s the latest twist in a saga that has seen Novartis come under scrutiny for waiting months to inform the FDA about the data issue, a decision that has drawn questions and rebukes from members of Congress.

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