Dykema Secures Rare Victory for Medical Scientist in Closely-Watched Research Fraud Case

Dykema, a leading national law firm, secured a rare trial-stage victory when the U.S. Department of Justice dismissed—with prejudice—all charges against its client, Dr. Hoau-Yan Wang, a former medical professor and research scientist at the City University of New York (CUNY). The dismissal, entered after a jury had already been selected, is highly unusual in federal criminal law and represents a complete vindication for Wang.

In 2021, while Wang was working with Cassava Sciences, Inc. to develop a novel Alzheimer’s drug, a group of profit-seeking short sellers filed a citizen petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, alleging data manipulation. The petition triggered investigations by the National Institutes of Health, CUNY, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation—with the latter ultimately accusing Wang of falsifying lab data for financial gain.

The Dykema team, led by Jennifer Beidel, and joined by trial counsel Mark Chutkow, Timothy Caprez, and Emma Blackwood, successfully:

• Proved that the government’s expert witness—a former blogger—relied on fringe scientific methods, limiting his testimony under Daubert standards.
• Exposed a Brady violation after uncovering evidence that the prosecution failed to disclose a report from CUNY’s internal investigation, finding no scientific misconduct by Wang.
• Succeeded on a Batson challenge, after prosecutors exercised a peremptory challenge of the only Asian American juror remaining in the jury pool.

Wang’s story is one of perseverance. A Taiwanese-born U.S. citizen, he spent decades commuting from his Philadelphia rowhouse to his New York laboratory, devoting his career to Alzheimer’s research inspired by his own family’s experience with the disease. “In a true David-and-Goliath battle, Wang stood against the full might of the federal government to restore his name, integrity, and life’s work,” said Beidel. “We’re honored to have fought this case on his behalf.”

Recognizing the toll of the government’s errors and miscarriage of justice, Judge Theodore D. Chuang called the case “regrettable and unfortunate” and apologized on behalf of the justice system, stating, “…I hope anyone who is paying attention to this doesn't think adversely of our overall justice system. Things happen. But this is not a good example of how things should be done…”

“The government’s motion to dismiss this matter after a jury had been selected and on the eve of opening statements is extraordinarily rare, underscoring fundamental flaws in the prosecution’s case,” said Chutkow. “It’s a great feeling to have justice and truth prevail.”

The case is United States v. Wang, case no. 8:24-cr-00211-TDC-1, and was argued before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland Greenbelt Division.