Former Madrigal Pharma executive alleges coverup of drug safety issues

Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54.

A top former executive at Madrigal Pharmaceuticals has filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging he was forced to resign after raising internal concerns about the safety of the company’s approved medication for patients with the liver disease known as MASH.

Michael Charlton, a physician, was Madrigal’s senior vice president, head of clinical development, from October 2024 until January 2026. His lawsuit, filed on Oct. 9 in the Northern District of Illinois, accuses Madrigal of retaliation under federal whistleblower-protection statutes and seeks reinstatement or monetary damages.

“[Charlton’s] mandate was to safeguard the safety, scientific integrity and accuracy of the clinical trials and disclosures supporting Madrigal’s flagship drug. He did exactly that. Madrigal punished him for it,” the lawsuit alleges.

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