STAT+: Marc Tessier-Lavigne addresses new book’s allegations about his conduct in Stanford misconduct case

STAT PlusBiotech Marc Tessier-Lavigne addresses new book’s allegations about his conduct in Stanford misconduct case Now CEO of buzzy AI drug discovery startup Xaira, Tessier-Lavigne says he’s learned about trust Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Brittany TrangMay 19, 2026 Health Tech Reporter Brittany Trang[email protected]Brittany Trang, Ph.D., covers AI in health and medicine: Does it actually work? Who benefits, or might be harmed? She writes the weekly AI Prognosis newsletter. Follow her on Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky. You can reach Brittany on Signal at btrang.01. SAN FRANCISCO — Former Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne responded publicly for the first time Tuesday to allegations in a new book that he was forced to resign from the university not only because of flaws in his oversight of scientists but over how he handled the controversy. At the STAT Breakthrough Summit West, STAT reporter Matthew Herper read aloud three paragraphs from Theo Baker’s book, “How to Rule the World.’’ Tessier-Lavigne sat with hands clasped in his lap as he listened to Baker’s description of the board meeting that led to his ouster. Advertisement According to Baker, the board concluded “that Tessier-Lavigne’s admit-nothing, deny-everything approach ‘did not reflect well on him and, by extension, the institution.’” The Stanford investigation, according to unnamed sources in the book, omitted yet another incident that contributed to the university turning on Tessier-Lavigne — a younger, female colleague challenging the conclusions of his work, and him dismissing her. By the end of the meeting, “there was no pro-MTL camp” and the board voted unanimously to replace him, Baker wrote. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. 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 research, scientific misconduct, scientists, STAT+, STAT Summit Submit a correction requestReprints Brittany Trang Health Tech Reporter Brittany Trang, Ph.D., covers AI in health and medicine: Does it actually work? Who benefits, or might be harmed? She writes the weekly AI Prognosis newsletter. Follow her on Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky. You can reach Brittany on Signal at btrang.01. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended The Readout May 19, 2026 STAT Plus: A new ranking of pharma companies by R&D performance The Readout May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: AstraZeneca picks up FDA approval for hypertension drug Advertisement Biotech May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: Supreme Court rejects challenge to Medicare drug price negotiation Special Report May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: The China question is tearing biotech apart The Readout May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: A political contest in the U.K. could shake up drug pricing Subscriber Picks