U.S. Trade Commission Issues Orders in Thyroid Drug Case
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On June 4, 2025, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced the results of Investigation No. 337-TA-1352. The investigation was over certain selective thyroid hormone receptor-beta agonists and related products.
The ITC found that four companies in China broke Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. These companies are Ascletis Pharma Inc., Ascletis Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Ascletis Bioscience Co., Ltd., and Gannex Pharma Co., Ltd. These four companies are called “Corporate Respondents” in the case.
The ITC said these companies got and used trade secrets that belonged to Viking Therapeutics, Inc., which is based in San Diego, California. Viking was the “Complainant.” Viking said these companies used trade secrets to make and sell certain thyroid-related drugs in the United States.
The ITC ordered a seven-year limited exclusion order (LEO) against the Corporate Respondents. That means the drugs and products involved cannot be brought into the United States by these companies for seven years, unless they have a license.
The ITC also issued cease and desist orders (CDO) to each of the four companies. This means they must stop all actions that break the law regarding these products.
The case started on February 9, 2023. The ITC looked into whether the companies’ actions hurt or stopped a U.S. company from growing. There was a hearing from November 13 to 16, 2023. The main judge, called the Chief Administrative Law Judge (Chief ALJ), found that the companies broke the law and said sanctions were needed. Sanctions mean punishment or penalties.
The ITC also looked at the role of Dr. Jinzi Jason Wu, who works for the Corporate Respondents. The ITC decided not to find Dr. Wu personally at fault. Sanctions against Dr. Wu were dropped.
Sanctions against the companies and their former lawyers, Rimon PC, were upheld.
The ITC also set a bond during a review period. This bond is one hundred percent of the value of any covered items imported during the Presidential review. This means if the companies try to bring in these products during the review, they must pay a bond worth the product’s total value.
No other public comments were received about this case. The ITC said the public interest does not stop them from giving these orders.
The investigation is now finished. The orders and decisions were sent to the President and the United States Trade Representative on the same day they were made.
The ITC voted on this decision on May 29, 2025. The legal authority for these actions comes from Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Commission’s own rules.
Lisa Barton, Secretary to the Commission, recorded this action.
Reference: Federal Register Volume 90, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 4, 2025), Pages 23709-23711.
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