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Suit against Harvard, Brigham and Women’s is dismissed

A federal district court judge has dismissed two scientists' lawsuit against Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School over an ongoing investigation into alleged scientific misconduct.

Dr. Piero Anversa and Dr. Annarosa Leri, both heart stem-cell scientists, alleged that the investigation was "procedurally and legally flawed."

In 2014, the hospital and medical school launched a review into allegations that Anversa and Leri falsified or fabricated data. Their research into how and whether stem cells can be used to treat heart disease has attracted millions of dollars in federal funding.

In their suit, which sought unspecified monetary damages, the scientists allege that people with conflicts of interest served on the investigatory panel, that the panel is taking too long to complete its probe, and that it improperly disclosed confidential information. Anversa and Leri said the prolonged investigation damaged their careers, and they alleged that the blame lies with another scientist who provided bad data.

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But US District Judge Denise J. Casper, noting that the investigation remains incomplete, dismissed the suit. In a 21-page opinion Monday, she ruled that Anversa and Leri had not exhausted the administrative remedies available to them.


Felice J. Freyer can be reached at felice.freyer@globe.com.