Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
A Newtown Township drug manufacturer with a large facility in Falls Township was raided by federal authorities Thursday morning.
Generic drug manufacturer KVK-TECH, which is based in Newtown Township and owns a large facility on Cabot Boulevard in Falls Township, had its three facilities in Newtown Township hit simultaneously at 7 a.m. by special agents from the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Health and Human Service, and other agencies, police said. The facilities in Newtown Township are located at Campus Drive, Terry Drive, and Pheasant Run.
Law enforcement sources said they did not believe federal authorities were at the facility on Cabot Boulevard in Falls Township, which displays the name Penn Life Sciences.
Employees were outside of the busy facility early Thursday afternoon, but they went inside when they spotted a reporter.
KVK-TECH and top leaders Murty Vepuri, 69, and Ashvin Panchal, 50, both of Newtown, were charged by indictment earlier this year with conspiracy to defraud the FDA. Additionally, the company, which was founded in 2004, was charged with one count of mail fraud.
According to the indictment, KVK-TECH distributed unapproved drugs and undertook efforts to mislead the FDA and conceal information that could impact drug safety and effectiveness. The company also was accused of selling unapproved drugs to customers who believed the drugs were made with the approval of the FDA.
It was not clear if the latest law enforcement activity is related to the previous cases or a new investigation.
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
