Former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli hopes to be temporarily freed from prison on the promise that he can develop a vaccine for the coronavirus.
In a scientific white paper released to his Prospero Pharmaceuticals website, the former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO promised he is “one of the few executives experienced in ALL aspects of drug development.”
“The industry response to COVID-19 is inadequate,” Shkreli wrote. “I am asking for a brief furlough (3 months) to assist in research work on COVID-19. Being released to the post-COVID world is no solace to even the incarcerated.”
Shkreli, 37, jumped into the public eye in 2015 when Turing took over manufacturing for the anti-malarial drug Daraprim. He raised the price of the pill from $13.5 to $750, which led to a widespread outcry against the former hedge fund manager, who became known as “pharma bro.” Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to pay $7.4 million in fines after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit securities fraud in 2018.
“All biopharmaceutical companies should be responding with all resources to combat this health emergency,” added Shkreli in the paper. “For the avoidance of doubt, I have not been paid for any work on this matter or any other matter while incarcerated. I do not expect to profit in any way, shape or form from coronavirus-related treatments.”
Though Shkreli has yet to formally request a temporary exit from prison, his lawyer Benjamin Brafman said the papers would be submitted “shortly” to federal Judge Kiyo Matsumoto, who oversaw his case in 2018.
Brafman backed Shkreli’s plan to develop a cure for the coronavirus, telling the New York Post that Shkreli “could cure cancer” if given the right resources.
“Feel the same about coronavirus,” said Brafman. “Warehousing this genius instead of letting him help with the research, makes no sense whatsoever.”
