Scoop: Global health care giant Fresenius Kabi’s ties to left-wing Arnold Ventures
As Republicans take control of Washington, Fresenius Kabi’s DEI initiatives and close ties to Arnold Ventures may come under more scrutiny and oversight, we're told.
Congressional Republicans are raising concerns that Fresenius Kabi, a global health care company known for its infusion therapies and generic drugs, is aligning with leftist ideologies and support for policies that undermine intellectual property protections.
Hill Republicans told the Washington Reporter that Rachel Goode, Senior Vice President of Legal and Intellectual Property at Fresenius Kabi, co-authored a 2023 paper titled “Ancillary Product Patents to Extend Biologic Patent Life.” This research was funded by Arnold Ventures, owned by left-wing billionaire John Arnold, a frequent source of criticism from the right. The study advocates for fewer patent protections — a policy change that would benefit Fresenius Kabi while harming other intellectual property owners.
Beyond Arnold Ventures funding Fresenius Kabi’s work, a tipster pointed out to the Reporter that Fresenius Kabi and Arnold Ventures submitted similar comments to the FDA on the issue of biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilar.
“Arnold’s support for Fresenius Kabi’s work could pose a problem for the company in light of the high profile criticisms levied against him by Republicans who are poised to have big roles in the new year,” a senior GOP staffer told the Reporter.
Conservative leaders like Sen.-elect Jim Banks (R., Ind.) previously criticized Arnold for his left-wing ties when Arnold was appointed to Facebook’s board. Rep. Dan Bishop (R., N.C.) slammed Arnold for “funding pro-censorship groups” and Rep. Greg Steube (R., Fla.) said Arnold “has spent millions upon millions involved in censorship efforts.”
“Why would any company that wants to persuade Republicans have a staffer partner with John Arnold and Arnold ventures?” a former Judiciary Committee staffer said to the Reporter. “This is a major red flag for any Republicans who want to work with Fresenius Kabi.”
A Republican close to the Trump Team added that “John Arnold is George Soros 2.0. He wants to weaken patents, destroy IP, empower PBMs, and censor conservatives. Republicans should never trust him and his agenda or funded groups.”
Like Lockheed Martin and other progressive-linked companies, Fresenius Kabi remains deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite major companies like WalMart, John Deere, and Bud Light walking away from the far-leftist, race essentialist ideology.
Fresenius Kabi has a “DEI Steering Committee” that “guides our vision and strategy.” Fresenius Kabi proudly claims that “DEI [is] an integral part of our culture.”
As Republicans take control of Washington, Fresenius Kabi’s DEI initiatives and close ties to Arnold Ventures may come under more scrutiny and oversight, especially as conservatives push back on left-wing organizations that push anti-intellectual property initiatives, senior Hill staffers told the Reporter.