STAT+: 931 days. The drug approval scandal hiding in plain sight

STAT PlusOpinionAdam’s Biotech Scorecard 931 days. The drug approval scandal hiding in plain sight Why the extra-long delay on a review of Northwest Biotherapeutics’ brain cancer treatment? Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Adam FeuersteinJuly 9, 2026 Senior Writer, Biotech Adam Feuerstein[email protected]Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54. This story first appeared in Adam’s Biotech Scorecard, a subscriber-only newsletter. STAT+ subscribers can sign up here to get it delivered to their inbox. Northwest Biotherapeutics, a public biotech company developing a treatment for brain cancer, submitted a marketing application to U.K. regulators in late December 2023. The review was supposed to take 150 days, under an expedited regulatory pathway for drugs that address serious unmet medical needs.Advertisement As you’re reading this newsletter, two years, six months, and 18 days have elapsed without an approval decision. Why the extra-long delay? Regulators at the U.K’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, or MHRA, won’t comment, telling anyone who inquires, including me, that it’s up to Northwest Bio to provide an update on its brain cancer treatment, called DCVax. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, Cancer, drug development, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Adam Feuerstein Senior Writer, Biotech Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54. STAT+ Newsletter Senior writer Adam Feuerstein's unfiltered, uncompromising analysis on the biotech world Recommended Adam's Biotech Scorecard July 2, 2026 STAT Plus: Halfway into the year, biotech is booming Adam's Biotech Scorecard June 18, 2026 STAT Plus: In pancreatic cancer, Patrick Soon-Shiong makes promises he has not kept Advertisement Adam's Biotech Scorecard June 11, 2026 STAT Plus: ‘Synthetic lethality’ could trigger another round of biotech M&A Adam's Biotech Scorecard June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: Does Revolution Medicines’ pancreatic cancer drug have even greater potential? Adam's Biotech Scorecard May 28, 2026 STAT Plus: An ASCO preview: What to watch for at cancer research’s big meeting Subscriber Picks