Lawmakers Invited to FDA Meeting for Soon-Shiong’s Drug

Two Republican lawmakers were invited to attend a Food and Drug Administration meeting about the potential expanded approval of a drug backed by billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, but the plan was scrapped due to internal opposition at the agency.

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, one of the two lawmakers who were invited, said the meeting was about a drug made by ImmunityBio Inc., a company Soon-Shiong founded. FDA head Marty Makary was aware the lawmakers were invited to the meeting, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg, though it’s unclear if he endorsed the move.