Biogen hires help for Congress’ inquiry into Aduhelm
Somehow, Biogen actually spent less on lobbying this summer compared to last year, despite all it has going on after the controversial approval and rocky rollout of its new Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm — a list that includes a congressional investigation into its efforts to influence the FDA.
That’s in part because Biogen hired the law firm Covington & Burling to handle its interactions with congressional investigators, two sources familiar with the arrangement confirmed to STAT. There’s no telling how much Biogen is paying Covington for their services because the firm, which does lobby on behalf of some pharmaceutical clients, isn’t technically registered to lobby on behalf of Biogen.
Covington is one of the most powerful law firms in Washington, and it has a history of getting corporate clients out of hot water with congressional investigators. The firm's website lists more than a dozen high profile congressional investigations it has handled; they include everything from drug pricing investigations to defending military contractors involved in overseas wars and banks being investigated for foreclosure practices.
Biogen did not comment on the arrangement.
Somehow, Biogen actually spent less on lobbying this summer compared to last year, despite all it has going on after the controversial approval and rocky rollout of its new Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm — a list that includes a congressional investigation into its efforts to influence the FDA.
That’s in part because Biogen hired the law firm Covington & Burling to handle its interactions with congressional investigators, two sources familiar with the arrangement confirmed to STAT. There’s no telling how much Biogen is paying Covington for their services because the firm, which does lobby on behalf of some pharmaceutical clients, isn’t technically registered to lobby on behalf of Biogen.
Covington is one of the most powerful law firms in Washington, and it has a history of getting corporate clients out of hot water with congressional investigators. The firm's website lists more than a dozen high profile congressional investigations it has handled; they include everything from drug pricing investigations to defending military contractors involved in overseas wars and banks being investigated for foreclosure practices.
Biogen did not comment on the arrangement.