(See the main Capitol Weekly article here and a related article on the California Stem Cell Report here.)

Here are the text of the questions and CIRM’s response.

Question: CIRM has been criticized for significant conflict of interest problems, most notably by the Institute of Medicine in a report that CIRM itself commissioned at a cost of $700,000. Does CIRM believe that this award and the conduct of this board member fit within the ICOC’s code of conduct that states that ICOC members must maintain “the highest standards of integrity?”

CIRM: Following the IOM report from 2012 CIRM changed policies around how board members are able to inform CIRM programs and funding in order to avoid conflicts of interest. This includes preventing board members representing academic institutions from voting on pending applications advanced by the Grants Working Group. In this case, Dr. Abdulhaq followed all CIRM conflict of interest policies.

Question: Does CIRM believe that this situation involves a violation of the letter or the spirit of its policy on conflicts of interest that states in part: “Members of the ICOC shall not make, participate in making or in any way attempt to use their official position to influence a decision regarding a grant, loan, or contract that financially benefits the member or the entity he or she represents.”

CIRM: Dr. Abdulhaq followed all CIRM conflict of interest policies. She did not contribute to any aspect of the CCCE program development and did not vote on the CCCE concept plan as a member of the board. She was not a member of the board when applications came up for approval and could not vote on funding decisions regarding the CCCEs even if she was a board member.

Question: Did CIRM take any formal or informal action regarding Abdulhaq’s 2021 statement that she intended to work while she was on the board to establish a cellular therapy program in Fresno? Did CIRM advise her that it was inappropriate for a sitting board member to act in a way that could be perceived as attempting to direct CIRM funds to the benefit of her employer?

CIRM: No.

Question: Abdulhaq has credited other UC campuses that have members on the ICOC board as helping her to build a successful application. Is this sort of cooperation, led by a member of the CIRM board, appropriate among other institutions with members on the CIRM board? Does the cooperation involve a violation or perception of a violation of the prohibition against attempting to influence “in any way” CIRM funding?

CIRM: Faculty and staff from the University of California campuses regularly collaborate as part of their work. CIRM does also have members of various University of California campuses on its board. Collaboration between those campuses is a normal part of scientific progress in California and does not represent a conflict of interest. There is no evidence that Dr. Abdulhaq reached out to CIRM board members after her term was over.

Question: What is the date that Abdulhaq was appointed to the CIRM board? What was her term of office? Who appointed her? Please email me a copy of the nomination letter.

CIRM: Dr. Abdulhaq was appointed January 25, 2021.

Question: Who did she replace?

CIRM. Dr. Abdulhaq did not replace anyone. This new seat on the board was created by Proposition 14.

Question: Who was appointed to fill her position after she left?

CIRM: Dr. Abdulhaq was replaced by Eyad Almasri.

Question: What reason did she give for leaving the board? What was the date? Is there a written resignation? If so, please email a copy.

CIRM: Dr. Abdulhaq left the board February 1, 2024.

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(See the main Capitol Weekly article here and a related article on the California Stem Cell Report here.)

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Questions:

1. CIRM has been criticized for significant conflict of interest problems, most notably by the Institute of Medicine in a report that CIRM itself commissioned at a cost of $700,000. CIRM has both a code of conduct and a conflict of interest policy for ICOC members. The policy on conflicts of interest states in part: “Members of the ICOC shall not make, participate in making or in any way attempt to use their official position to influence a decision regarding a grant, loan, or contract that financially benefits the member or the entity he or she represents.” The ICOC’s code of conduct states that ICOC members must maintain “the highest standards of integrity.” Were you aware of both of these policies and informed about them before you became a board member or immediately thereafter?

2. After your 2021 comment, did CIRM advise you that it was inappropriate for a sitting board member to act in a way that could be perceived as attempting to direct CIRM funds to the benefit of your employer?

3. What was the reason that you left the board and the date?

4. What sort of compensation do you receive as the principal investigator on the $9 million award for the Community Care Center of Excellence in Fresno?

5. What is your current income from UCSF and Community? What was it in 2021. (The salaries of UC employees are public record. However, the usual databases with that information do not show you as a UCSF employee, which is unusual.)

6. Did you receive any bonuses or special compensation for your work on the community care application?

7. What are your responsibilities under the terms of the contract that CIRM has involving the Fresno community care center?

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Abdulhaq’s response:

Thank you for reaching out. Here is my response:

I am board-certified in hematology and medical oncology with expertise in Malignant Hematology, including Lymphoproliferative neoplasms, Myeloproliferative neoplasms, Acute Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma and interest in Stem Cell transplantation. My team at the Community Cancer Institute was the first to bring CAR-T cell therapy to the San Joaquin Valley, the result of many years of hard work.

I have no conflicts of interest in my role as PI or as a former ICOC board member.

Establishing a program in the San Joaquin Valley to bring cutting-edge treatment to local patients has been a long-time professional goal. San Joaquin Valley residents live with higher rates of chronic disease than those in other regions of the state. Patients in need of specialized care must travel to Northern or Southern California for treatment. The grant awarded to Community Health System will enable Valley communities to gain access to lifesaving gene and cellular therapies. This program was one of three to start a statewide network to provide access in underserved areas.

I serve as the principal investigator for this project at the Community Cancer Institute. In that capacity, I am responsible for scientific and clinical leadership of the program, oversight of implementation of the project objectives, regulatory and institutional compliance, coordination among participating teams and institutions, reporting requirements, and ensuring that the program advances patient access to regenerative medicine clinical trials and therapies in the Central Valley.

I was appointed to the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (ICOC) board in 2021 for a six-year term to serve alongside more than 30 other members who provide expertise and guidance to CIRM. I proactively stepped down on February 1, 2024, to avoid any potential or perceived conflicts of interest as I turned to my community’s need to establish a local program.

Employment

I am a Clinical Professor of Hematology and Oncology and the director of hematology at UCSF Fresno. Like many faculty at UCSF Fresno, I am employed by Inspire Health Medical Group and I am not an employee of the University of California.

Haifaa Abdulhaq, MD

Clinical Professor of Medicine, UCSF

Director of Hematology, UCSF Fresno

Director of Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, UCSF Fresno

Director of Cellular Therapy, Community Health System

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(See the main Capitol Weekly article here and a related article on the California Stem Cell Report here.)

Dear Dr. Imbasciani,

I am writing this email to inform you that I am stepping down from my position on CIRM board effective Feb 1st, 2024.

It has been an absolute honor to serve on the board of this great organization for the last 3 years and to be part of accelerating and delivering regenerative medicine.

I have learned so much from the great scientists and patient advocates both on the board and on the CIRM team.

However, at this time, I need to help my community and our patients in the central valley of California by focusing my efforts on supporting our center to be a community care center of excellence.

While it is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving the board, it is necessary to avoid any conflicts of interest.

I will forever be grateful to UC Chancellor and to CIRM for giving me the opportunity to serve this great organization.

Sincerely,

Haifaa

Haifaa Abdulhaq, MD

Clinical Professor of Medicine, UCSF

Director of Hematology, UCSF Fresno

Director of Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, UCSF Fresno

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