As reported in the Daily Bruin (“Researcher faces
review,” Aug. 15, News), the Seattle Times published an
article concerning my consultation call with Friedman Billings
Ramsey. The innuendo of the article and its Web site, all under the
heading “Selling Drug Secrets,” resulted in uproar that
has absolutely no basis in fact.
I did consult with Ramsey on July 18, but did not reveal, nor
have, any “drug secrets.” The opinions were clearly
discussed in the conference call as opinion, and not, as distorted
by The Times, as fact.
The Times article intimated that I had access to confidential
information due to positions with the drug companies. I had no such
positions. I was not a principal investigator for the Sutent
trials, nor did I monitor safety for either the Sutent or Sorafenib
studies.
The Times can make or destroy a life, or a career. Such power
carries with it important responsibilities to assure that facts are
not improperly twisted.
For the past 25 years, I have been an upstanding member of the
world community on kidney and lung cancer research, with an
unblemished reputation (until the Times article) and record of the
highest integrity. I have been chairman of the Institutional Review
Board at UCLA for seven years and have been praised for my efforts
and maintenance of excellence in that regard.
My life’s work is to find and enhance cures for cancer, to
educate people about advances in treatment, and to help scientific
progress. I am a frequent speaker on kidney cancer and labeled a
“thought leader” by others in the cancer research
community, participating each year in numerous national and
international conferences. I understand research integrity and
maintain very high standards in that regard.
I have the highest regard for and loyalty to UCLA, its
researchers and doctors, and I regret any embarrassment to the UCLA
community that was caused by The Times article. It is a terrible
feeling to have such falsehoods printed in conjunction with
one’s name and integrity, and I hope this letter will clarify
the truth to the UCLA community.
Figlin is a cancer research specialist at UCLA.