STAT+: Three biotech updates, including accusations of theft and and a new lobbying leader

Morning. Moderna has appointed Juan Andres as its new chief operating officer, a significant move as the biotech company gears up to expand into oncology. This is Andres' second position at Moderna; he once held the top role responsible for manufacturing and quality control. Meanwhile, Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals and Atara Biotherapeutics have both resubmitted their drug Ebvallo to the FDA.

The duo seeks approval for treating an extremely rare and lethal form of blood cancer that can affect individuals who have undergone stem cell or solid organ transplants. The FDA had previously declined Ebvallo's application in May but has now agreed to reevaluate the drug. Beam Therapeutics has filed a lawsuit accusing a former scientist of stealing intellectual property and subsequently founding a Chinese biotech firm that recently struck a deal with prominent venture capital firms.

This lawsuit comes as tensions between American biotech companies and their Chinese counterparts intensify. More U.S. investors and pharmaceutical firms are exploring the possibility of licensing new drugs from Chinese biotechs at lower costs, but American innovators argue that Chinese biotechs are merely replicating U.S. drug candidates.