Health · Pharma & Biotech · 2 hrs ago
Former Madrigal executive sues over alleged retaliation after safety concerns
Former Madrigal executive Michael Charlton says the company retaliated against him after he raised concerns about the safety of its approved drug for MASH, a liver disease.
Charlton, a physician, led clinical development at the pharmaceutical company from October 2024 until January 2026.
He filed a federal lawsuit on Oct.
9 in the Northern District of Illinois, alleging he was forced to resign.
He is seeking reinstatement or monetary damages under federal whistleblower-protection laws.
Madrigal denies the accusations and defends the drug’s safety.
The case matters because it concerns whether a former company leader was punished for raising safety concerns about a medicine used by patients.
The lawsuit seeks reinstatement or money damages, and the sources give no further details about what happens next.
Michael Charlton, a former senior executive at Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, has sued the company, alleging retaliation after he raised concerns about the safety of its approved MASH medication.
The lawsuit says he was forced to resign and accuses Madrigal of violating federal whistleblower-protection statutes.
Charlton seeks reinstatement or monetary damages.
Madrigal vigorously denies the accusations and defends the medication’s safety.
- Who
- Michael Charlton, a physician and former Madrigal senior vice president and head of clinical development, sued Madrigal Pharmaceuticals.
- What
- He alleges the company retaliated against him after he raised safety concerns about its MASH medication.
- When
- The lawsuit was filed on Oct. 9. Charlton held his role from October 2024 until January 2026.
- Where
- The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Illinois.
- Why
- Charlton alleges he was forced to resign after raising internal concerns about the medication’s safety.
Michael Charlton
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals
Safety concerns
Michael Charlton
Charlton alleges he raised internal concerns about the safety of Madrigal’s approved MASH medication.
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals
Madrigal denies the accusations and defends the medication’s safety.
Retaliation
Michael Charlton
Charlton’s lawsuit alleges Madrigal punished him and violated federal whistleblower-protection statutes.
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals
Madrigal vigorously denies the accusations.
Charlton began serving as Madrigal’s senior vice president and head of clinical development.
Charlton’s tenure in that role ended.
Charlton filed his lawsuit in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois.
- Former executive
- Michael Charlton
- Company
- Madrigal Pharmaceuticals
- Role
- Senior vice president, head of clinical development
- Tenure
- October 2024 to January 2026
- Filing date
- Oct. 9
- Court
- Northern District of Illinois
1 source
What people are saying
[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.