The Select Committee’s investigation did not produce a complete record of Zhu’s activities in the U.S., but it revealed that Zhu had previously operated a similar unlicensed facility in the city of Fresno, California. At the Fresno location, it appears that Zhu and his associates had rewired the electrical system in a way that may have caused the fire that forced Zhu to flee. When that location was no longer available, Zhu proceeded to find a second potential laboratory and again go through the elaborate process of retrofitting it for his illicit operation. It appears that Zhu has had to move medical equipment, transgenic mice, and apparent pathogens several times over the years, incurring significant costs in the process.
The Select Committee has obtained evidence indicating that Zhu and his associates at the Reedley Biolab were purchasing counterfeit test kits from the PRC and re-selling them in the United States as “Made in the USA.” The Reedley Biolab contained dozens of large boxes full of PRC-made medical device test kits, shipping manifests for these items from the PRC, and bills indicating the acquisition of these test kits from PRC companies (in some cases, companies affiliated with Zhu). These kits were allegedly used to test for COVID-19, pregnancy, ovulation, and certain narcotics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that UMI’s test kits “may not be ‘safe and effective,’” and issued a recall.[1] This evidence matches allegations made in lawsuits against Zhu’s companies for this fraudulent practice.[2]
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Figure 32 - One of the pregnancy tests offered by UMI. The cassette in the bottom left corner, above the "Made in USA" stamp, is identical to cassettes UMI imported from the PRC. Source: City of Reedley.
- ↑ FDA warns against pregnancy tests from illegal bio lab, The Business Journal (Aug. 14, 2023, 2:05 PM).
- ↑ See, e.g., Sensiva Health vs. Universal Meditech, No. 21-598, 2022 WL 17576345 (E.D. La. Nov. 18, 2022) (Judgment).
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