Gyumryukchu Serkhat (Serhat Gumrukcu)

History

2022: Arrest and charge of contract murder

May 26, 2022 it became known about the arrest of the co-founder of the biotechnology company Enochian BioSciences Serhat Gyumryukchu. He is accused of conspiracy to use funds of interstate commerce in the commission of a contract murder.

Enochian is developing genetically modified cellular and immune therapies for infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B and Covid-19, as well as cancer. Gyumrücchu developed many of the methods used to create drugs, and Enochian relied on his services, according to a financial declaration filed by the company in 2021. The researcher submitted a preliminary request for an IND for Enochian's HIV cell therapy.

Founder of American biotech company arrested on charges of contract murder

The case was opened back in 2018. According to court documents, Gregory Davis was abducted from his home on January 6, 2018. The next day, Davis was found dead in a snow rubble a few miles from his Vermont home. The government previously arrested one person in connection with the abduction of Davis, as well as another person on charges of conspiracy to kidnap.

At this stage, it is unclear exactly what role Gyumryukchu took in the conspiracy. The indictment only contains charges and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Enochian issued a statement after seeing an "unexpected and shocking press release" about the arrest of Gyumrücchu. The board of directors examined the available information and "unconditionally concluded that there is no connection between criminal charges and any actions of the company." Enochian CEO Mark Dable tried to distance the company from Gyumrücchu.

The deep potential of scientific ideas and promising preclinical and in some cases clinical data have not changed, Dybel said. The personal life of the inventor and co-founder does not change these fundamental facts. Indeed, Dr. Gümrücchu never played an official role in the company, and his remaining unofficial role as a scientific consultant ended.[1]

Notes