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# Probe FDA/Biogen Alzheimer’s Drug Collaboration: Public Citizen
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/probe-fda-biogen-alzheimers-drug-collaboration-public-citizen/
- Published: 2021-04-06T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:53:44.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5149051

Public Citizen has called on HHS secretary **Xavier Becerra** to have the department Office of Inspector General (OIG) immediately investigate the “unprecedented and inappropriate close collaboration between FDA and Biogen regarding the company’s application for approval of the Alzheimer’s disease drug aducanumab.” In a 4/1 [letter](https://www.citizen.org/news/letter-becerra-must-take-immediate-action-to-address-fdas-inappropriate-collaboration-with-biogen-on-alzheimers-disease-drug/?ref=fdaweb.com), the consumer advocacy group warned Becerra of the adverse consequences if the agency were to approve aducanumab despite the lack of evidence of effectiveness.

On 12/9/20, Public Citizen called on the OIG to open an investigation of the FDA/Biogen collaboration and says the OIG responded with a short, pro forma letter signaling that it did not intend to pursue such action.

“Given the gravity of our concerns,” Public Citizen now tells Becerra, “more definitive, prompter actions by the OIG and HHS must be taken. The prior close collaboration between FDA and Biogen dangerously compromised the integrity of FDA’s review.”

The new letter also called on Becerra to order FDA to temporarily remove the head of the office that collaborated with Biogen pending completion of the requested OIG probe and to reassign all further review and decision-making on aducanumab to staff not involved in the collaboration with Biogen. Public Citizen also stressed that it believes it is imperative that FDA not approve the drug given the clear lack of evidence that it is effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease.