A China-born scientist was the first of 18 authors on the 2010 paper, which included graphs later shown to have incorrectly labeled healthy human cells as being those from multiple sclerosis patients. Liu says he opposes a retraction of the paper.  “It was an honest mistake, and it doesn’t affect the findings,” he said, sipping a cappuccino. “I can confidently say that I can recreate the result in any laboratory.”

The disputed research isn’t part of the investigation of Glaxo China announced in late June by the nation’s Public Security Ministry of alleged economic crimes involving 3 billion yuan  ($489 million) of spurious travel and meeting expenses, and trade in sexual favors. Glaxo’s head of emerging markets of Abbas Hussain said on July 22 after meeting with government officials in Beijing that some of its employees may have broken China’s laws. The drugmaker has said it’s cooperating with the government’s investigation.

Race to Publish Shows Glaxo Zeal to Get Leg Up in China