Drug Discovery and Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Women in Pharma and Biotech
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • Resources
    • Video features
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
  • Pharma 50
    • 2025 Pharma 50
    • 2024 Pharma 50
    • 2023 Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Researcher Who Faked HIV Vaccine Gets Prison Term, Millions in Fines

By Drug Discovery Trends Editor | July 2, 2015

In this July 1, 2014 file photo, former Iowa State University researcher Dong-Pyou Han leaves the federal courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa. Han, who pleaded guilty in February to making false statements about a potential HIV vaccine in research reports, was sentenced Wednesday, July 1, 2015 to 4 and one half years in prison and must repay a federal government agency more than $7 million. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)A scientist who faked results of an experimental HIV vaccine in rabbits to make it appear he had achieved a breakthrough was sentenced to more than 4 years in prison and $7 million in fines by a federal judge, authorities announced.

Dong-Pyou Han, 58, admitted in February to infusing rabbits with human blood to make it appear the animals were developing antibodies to HIV, beginning in 2008 at Case Western Reserve University.

Han was recruited to Iowa State University the following year, along with the rest of the research team under professor Michael Cho.

A Harvard group discovered the mingling of rabbit and human blood in 2013, prompting the investigation.

The work involved millions in grants from the National Institutes of Health, according to the federal authorities.

Though a public defender asked for probation instead of prison time, federal prosecutors sought time behind bars for the scientist.

“It is important that we stand up not just for punishing the fraud committed against the United States government, but for the research that should be legitimately taking place on this devastating disease,” said Nicholas A. Klinefeldt, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa.

“Taxpayers fund medical research with the hope that promising scientific breakthroughs will result in much-needed treatments and cures for patients. When Dr. Han faked lab results — collecting scarce government medical research funding under false presentences — he recklessly betrayed the public’s trust,” said Gerald T. Roy, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Researchers who lie about their work will face the consequences.”

Han pleaded guilty in February to two counts of making false statements to the NIH. The total sentence is 57 months, with three years of supervised release.


Filed Under: Drug Discovery

 

Related Articles Read More >

Lokavant’s Spectrum v15 uses AI to cut trial-feasibility modeling from weeks to minutes
Prime time for peptide-based drug discovery 
Why smaller, simpler molecular glues are gaining attention in drug discovery
Glass vial, pipette and woman scientist in laboratory for medical study, research or experiment. Test tube, dropper and professional female person with chemical liquid for pharmaceutical innovation
Unlocking ‘bench-to-bedside’ discoveries requires better data sharing and collaboration
“ddd
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest news and trends happening now in the drug discovery and development industry.

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.
Drug Discovery and Development
  • MassDevice
  • DeviceTalks
  • Medtech100 Index
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Medical Design & Outsourcing
  • Medical Tubing + Extrusion
  • Subscribe to our E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • R&D World
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Drug Discovery & Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Women in Pharma and Biotech
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • Resources
    • Video features
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
  • Pharma 50
    • 2025 Pharma 50
    • 2024 Pharma 50
    • 2023 Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE