Lawmakers Invited to FDA Meeting for Soon-Shiong’s Drug (2)

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.

The invitation was unusual for ...