Composition of a Chinese Trade Secrets Theft Enterprise–A Family Affair: UPDATE-3

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the conviction of another individual for stealing trade secrets from pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in 2016.

*IP Probe Blog has followed this case since 2018 when the first complaints were announced. Please see “additional reading” below for details of the conspiracy and progression of the prosecution.

BRIEF RECAP OF THE CASE

Six (6) scientists conspired to steal trade secrets from GSK in order to benefit a Chinese company. The Chinese government partially financed the conspiracy.

FAMILY AFFAIR

What makes this case particularly interesting is the familial relationships between the thieves:

Husband and wife working at two separate pharmaceutical companies (one of which was GSK.)

Twin sister scientist-thieves. One worked at GSK and the other coordinated the theft enterprise in China.

CONVICTED CO-CONSPIRATOR BROTHER BASED IN SWITZERLAND

This recent conviction of the brother, who was a scientist at yet another pharmaceutical company in Switzerland, drives home the lengths family IP thieves will go.

And just as his sister had done in the U.S. by creating a company to personally benefit from the stolen trade secrets, the brother created a company in Switzerland to do the same.

STATUS OF PROSECUTIONS

Of the six (6) thieves, four (4) have pled guilty, the fifth went to trial and was convicted (the Switzerland brother) and the sixth fled the U.S. and is believed to be in China.

ADDITIONAL READING

IP Probe Blog Series:

Composition of Chinese Trade Secrets Theft Enterprise: A Family Affair

 Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Update 1 – Update 2

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