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Trade Secrets Stolen by Ohio Couple
A former Dublin, Ohio, couple has been charged with crimes related to stealing exosome-related trade secrets concerning the research, identification and treatment of a range of pediatric medical conditions.
Yu Zhou, 49, and Li Chen, 46, currently of San Diego, California, conspired to, attempted to and did steal scientific trade secrets related to exosomes and exosome isolation from Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Research Institute for their own personal financial gain.
The indictment alleges that Zhou and Chen, who were spouses and worked in separate medical research labs at the Research Institute for 10 years each, founded a company in China in 2015 without the hospital’s knowledge. While they continued to be employed by Nationwide Children’s, they marketed products and services related to exosome isolation through their Chinese company.
According to the indictment, in 2017, Zhou and Chen helped co-found an American biotechnology company. As of 2019, the company’s website advertises multiple products and services related to exosome isolation, including a kit that was developed from a trade secret created at a Nationwide Children’s research lab.
Zhou and Chen allegedly used the hospital’s Research Institute resources and equipment to conduct the exosome research necessary for their unauthorized, outside work. In November 2017, Zhou and Chen allegedly received more than $876,000 and stock related to an asset purchase agreement involving the American biotechnology company.
Conspiring to, attempting to and committing theft of trade secrets is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Conspiring to, attempting to and committing wire fraud carries a potential maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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