The Macchiarini case: Timeline
The events in relation to Paolo Macchiarini, formerly a visiting professor and paid researcher at Karolinska Institutet (KI), that have attracted so much attention have resulted in several investigations and far-reaching measures. Below is a summary of the events in this case.
Numerous measures have been implemented and are planned as a result of the deficiencies identified in connection with the Macchiarini case. The measures are based on the recommendations of the independent investigation led by Sten Heckscher and the internal audit by CLINTEC, the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, where Paolo Macchiarini was formerly employed. The following is a brief description of these measures.
2010: Background
Autumn 2010. Paolo Macchiarini is recruited by Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital
Paolo Macchiarini is recruited by Karolinska Institutet (KI) as a visiting professor conducting basic research in the field of regenerative medicine/stem cell biology. At the same time, he is employed on a part-time contract as a consultant and surgeon at Karolinska University Hospital.
2011–2012. Artificial tracheas surgically implanted in three patients
Paolo Macchiarini performs three transplantations of synthetic tracheas coated with stem cells at Karolinska University Hospital. According to the hospital the operations are care interventions on the basis of a so-called vital indication (i.e. as an attempt to save the patients’ lives). In November, Macchiarini publishes an article in The Lancet describing the operation on the first patient.
2012. Patient dies
The second of the three patients operated on at Karolinska University Hospital dies a few months after the operation.
2013. The hospital puts a stop to further operations
Karolinska University Hospital decides to stop all future operations with synthetic trachea and not to extend Paolo Macchiarini’s contract as surgeon.
December 2013. Continues to perform surgery in Russia
Paolo Macchiarini commences clinical studies in Krasnodar, Russia, where patients are to be operated on for research purposes. This is an extra-mural activity that has been approved by his department at KI.
2014: Research called into question
January 2014. Another patient dies
The first patient operated on at Karolinska University Hospital in June 2011 dies.
June 2014. The first report of suspected misconduct in research
A first report, by a Belgian researcher, is received by KI, accusing Paolo Macchiarini of misconduct in research – scientific misconduct. The Vice-Chancellor, who according to the Higher Education Ordinance has responsibility for investigating suspected cases of misconduct in research, requests a statement from KI’s Ethics Committee.
June, August and September 2014. Second and third reports of suspected misconduct in research
Two separate reports of scientific misconduct are filed by four doctors at Karolinska University Hospital, according to whom research results have been described in overly positive terms in seven of Paolo Macchiarini’s scientific papers*, which they argue incorrectly describe the postoperative status of the patients and the functionality of the implants. The four doctors are also researchers at KI and three of them are co-authors on some of the papers. *In Nature Communications on trials involving artificial tracheas in rats, and in The Lancet (articles 1 and 2), Biomaterials (article 3), the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research (article 4), Thoracic Surgery Clinics (article 5), Biomaterials (article 6). Articles 1, 3 and 6 are original articles, and articles 2, 4 and 5 are summary articles on the transplantation of a synthetic prosthesis in human tracheas.
August 2014. Paolo Macchiarini responds to the first report
Paolo Macchiarini submits his response to the first report.
November 2014. KI requests an external opinion
KI assigns Bengt Gerdin, professor emeritus at Uppsala University, as an expert to examine the material in the case relating to the second and third complaints against Macchiarini and to issue a statement.
2015: Statements and decisions differ
March 2015. KI’s Ethics Committee comments on the first report
The Ethics Committee at KI issues a statement on the report from the Belgian researcher, writing that the issues raised by the researcher relate to scientific theory rather than to research ethics, and that the accusations of misconduct in research are unsubstantiated.
April 2015. Paolo Macchiarini responds to the second and third reports
Paolo Macchiarini and his co-authors submit responses to the second and third complaints against him, which relate to seven different articles.
April 2015. KI clears Paolo Macchiarini in the first case
KI clears Paolo Macchiarini of scientific misconduct in the case of the complaint levelled against him by the Belgian researcher in June 2014. KI’s Ethics Committee also pronounces on the matter
13 May 2015. External opinion: misconduct in research
Bengt Gerdin submits his special statement of opinion to Karolinska Institutet. He concludes that Macchiarini has been guilty of misconduct in research in the articles reported by the four physicians.
June 2015. Macchiarini’s repudiation
Paolo Macchiarini and his co-authors submit their statements on the content of Bengt Gerdin’s special statement and refute the charge of misconduct in research.
22 June 2015. The Swedish Research Council stops research funding
The Swedish Research Council decides to suspend payment of funding to Paolo Macchiarini. The council says in its decision that the researcher, by his actions, has proved to be a clearly unsuitable recipient of funding from the Swedish Research Council.
28 August 2015. KI clears Paolo Macchiarini in the second and third cases
In an overall assessment, KI confirms that Paolo Macchiarini has not been guilty of scientific misconduct, but states at the same time that his research failed to meet the standards of quality set by KI and the scientific community. KI’s judgement on the matter is made with reference to the new information that has emerged from the comments submitted by Paolo Macchiarini and his co-authors in response to Bengt Gerdin’s special statement. A summary of the differences between Bengt Gerdin’s conclusion and KI’s decision can be found in KI’s decision no. 2 under “Considerations and assessment”.
November 2015. Paolo Macchiarini is appointed as a researcher for another year
Paolo Macchiarini’s position as a visiting professor is terminated and he is given a temporary position as a researcher at KI up until 30 November.
December 2015. External reviewer stands firm
Bengt Gerdin stands by his conclusion having, on his own initiative, reviewed KI’s decision to clear Paolo Macchiarini and the investigation material received following his own review. Gerdin emails his conclusions to Vice-Chancellor Anders Hamsten.
January 2016: New serious criticism is made
January 2016. Vanity Fair publishes new accusations
Vanity Fair publishes an article in which Paolo Macchiarini is accused of having lied on his CV and elsewhere. KI opens an inquiry into the veracity of the CV which Paolo Macchiarini provided to KI in connection with his employment.
13, 20 and 27 January 2016. The SVT documentary “The Experiment”
The 3-part documentary series “The Experiment” is broadcasted on SVT. The documentary, which closely follows Paolo Macchiarini, shows how patients have suffered and died in connection with failed transplant surgery involving artificial tracheas, and raises numerous issues concerning care and research ethics. The fierce public response to the series causes a crisis of confidence in KI.
28 January 2016. Falsehoods in Macchiarini’s CV
KI’s first investigation into Paolo Macchiarini’s CV (in Swedish) concludes that it contains several falsehoods, although none so serious as to justify his dismissal or resignation. The definitive examination is yet to be concluded.
February 2016: Investigations and resignations from management
4 February 2016. New decision concerning Macchiarini’s position as a researcher
Vice-Chancellor Anders Hamsten decides that Paolo Macchiarini’s contract with Karolinska Institutet will not be extended after 30 November 2016.
4 February 2016. The University Board requests an external inquiry into KI’s handling of the case
An external inquiry is launched by the Karolinska Institutet University Board into Karolinska Institutet’s handling of the entire case, from Paolo Macchiarini’s recruitment in 2010 to the present. It is to be led by the lawyer Sten Heckscher. The University Board also decides to give Vice-Chancellor Anders Hamsten their continuing confidence for the duration of the inquiry.
13 February 2016. KI’s Vice-Chancellor, Anders Hamsten, resigns
Vice-Chancellor Anders Hamsten announces his resignation on DN Debatt. At the same time he announces that KI will launch a new inquiry into scientific misconduct against Paolo Macchiarini after having received information that raises questions concerning the data forming the basis of some of Macchiarini’s articles. KI has also received a further report of suspected misconduct in research directed at Macchiarini.
13 February 2016. Nobel Committee members decline to participate
Four professors from the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet decline to participate in the work of the assembly while the Macchiarini case is being investigated. The four are former vice-chancellor Anders Hamsten, dean of research Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, and professors Katarina Le Blanc and Urban Lendahl. All of them will be under investigation as part of Sten Heckscher’s inquiry.
15 February 2016. Karin Dahlman-Wright takes up a post as acting vice-chancellor
Pro-vice-chancellor Karin Dahlman-Wright is to step in as acting vice-chancellor to carry out the vice-chancellor’s duties.
17 February 2016. Proposal that Karin Dahlman-Wright should become acting vice‑chancellor
The KI’s executive committee, the University Board, decides to ask the government to appoint Karin Dahlman-Wright as acting vice-chancellor of Karolinska Institutet following Anders Hamsten’s departure. At the same time a decision is made to initiate the process of recruiting a new vice-chancellor
18 February 2016. Acting vice-chancellor appointed by the government
The government decides to appoint Karin Dahlman-Wright as acting vice-chancellor of Karolinska Institutet. Dahlman-Wright was made pro-vice-chancellor on 1 January 2016 and has been a professor of molecular endocrinology since 2009.
February 2016. Misconduct investigation resumed
Acting vice-chancellor Karin Dahlman-Wright decides to reopen the case of scientific misconduct concerning Paolo Macchiarini and to have the seven scientific papers examined by the expert group for misconduct in research at the Central Ethical Review Board (CEPN).
19 February 2016. Appointment procedures tightened
KI’s Recruitment Committee tightens up and clarifies procedures for reviewing job applications.
22 February 2016. Dean of research resigns
Citing the Macchiarini case, the dean of research Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, asks to be allowed to step down from his position.
22 February 2016. Advisor to the vice-chancellor resigns
Citing the Macchiarini case, professor Jan Carlstedt-Duke asks to be allowed to leave his post as advisor to the vice-chancellor.
22 February 2016. Paolo Macchiarini given notice
Paolo Macchiarini, who has a position as a researcher at Karolinska Institutet up until 30 November 2016, is told that KI is considering dismissing him.
March 2016. Work begins on proposed measures
KI’s acting vice-chancellor asks the acting pro-vice-chancellor to carry out a systematic inventory at KI to identify any faults or failings that require rectification, and to propose measures where necessary.
March 2016. CEPN re-examines Macchiarini’s articles
KI’s acting vice-chancellor decides that Paolo Macchiarini’s scientific articles are to be re-examined, this time by the expert group for misconduct in research at the Central Ethical Review Board (CEPN). The new investigation concerns the seven scientific articles that Professor Bengt Gerdin considered in a statement to be misconduct in research, but which KI’s former vice-chancellor decided was not.
3 March 2016. The government makes a decision concerning the nomination committee
The government decides to task a nomination committee with submitting proposals involving in part new members of the Karolinska Institutet administrative committee, the university board.
5 March 2016. KI decides to overhaul the Ethics Committee
KI decides that it is necessary to clarify the work on research ethics at KI and that the role of the Ethics Committee should be re-considered.
18 March 2016. Expert appointed to review the case of misconduct in research
The expert group on misconduct in research at the CEPN tasks Professor Eva Ekblad, as an expert, to review the case relating to the article Experimental orthotopic transplantation of a tissue-engineered oesophagus in rats, published in Nature Communications on 15 April 2014.
23 March 2016. KI decides to dismiss Macchiarini
The Staff Disciplinary Board decides to dismiss Paolo Macchiarini from his temporary post as a researcher at KI.
1 April 2016. New administrative board members proposed
The government receives proposals for the members of the KI University Board whom it is to appoint.
21 April 2016. New board members appointed
The government decides on new government-appointed members of the University Board based on the proposal submitted by the government’s nomination committee.
22 April 2016. New case investigated by KI
Karolinska Institutet decides to examine a new case of suspected fraudulent activity in research in which Paolo Macchiarini took part as a researcher. The case involves a scientific article that had been published in Respiration in 2015 that was uncovered in an inventory conducted by the university to uncover misconduct in research at KI.
May 2016. Additional report of suspected misconduct in research
The four doctors who reported Paolo Macchiarini in 2014 submit another report of suspected misconduct in research concerning an article that already forms part of the ongoing inquiry.
22 June 2016. Paolo Macchiarini served as a suspect in a criminal investigation
The public prosecutor officially serves a write against Paolo Macchiarini informing him that he is suspected of gross negligence causing manslaughter and bodily injury.
21 June 2016. KI appoints new dean of research
Professor Anders Gustafsson, former dean of researcher training, is appointed the new dean of research at Karolinska Institutet.
9 July 2016. Expert submits report to CEPN
The expert, Eva Ekblad, notes in a statement that there are some uncertainties concerning the animal experiments that formed the basis for the article Experimental orthotopic transplantation of a tissue-engineered oesophagus in rats, published in Nature Communications on 15 April 2014.
August-September 2016: External investigation completed
30 August 2016. Further report of suspected misconduct in research
Karolinska Institutet receives another report of suspected scientific misconduct, this time concerning a scientific poster used to present Paolo Macchiarini’s research at a scientific conference in 2012.
31 August 2016. Kjell Asplund’s external investigation presented
Kjell Asplund’s investigation, “The Macchiarini Case”, has examined the circumstances surrounding Paolo Macchiarini’s activities at Karolinska University Hospital. The investigation is fiercely critical of the hospital as well as of Karolinska Institutet and notes, amongst other things, that the operations constituted research and not healthcare, and that KI was proactive in the hiring of Macchiarini, who was initially employed at both institutions.
Karolinska Institutet comments on Asplund’s investigation
2 September 2016. Lars Leijonborg, chairman of the university board, resigns
Citing the Macchiarini case, Lars Leijonborg informed the minister for higher education and research that he is stepping down as chairman of Karolinska Institutet’s university board.
5 September 2016. Sten Heckscher’s investigation and internal review is presented
Sten Heckscher’s investigation, “Karolinska Institutet and the Macchiarini Case”, criticises KI on several counts: insufficient regard to the rules; the recruitment of Macchiarini in 2010 and the decision to extend his contract in 2013 and 2015, which was taken in breach of proper procedure; partial responsibility for the transplantation procedures carried out at Karolinska University Hospital; shortcomings in following-up on Macchiarini’s research at KI; failure to properly investigate his extra-mural activities and flawed handling of the misconduct case. The same day saw the presentation of KI’s internal review of Clintec, the institution of clinical science, intervention and technology, where Paolo Macchiarini was employed as a researcher.
Karolinska Institutet comments on Heckscher’s investigation of the Macchiarini case.
The investigation “The Karolinska Institutet and Macchiarini case” (English Summary)
Heckscher: “A lot of surprises in the course of the investigation”
Institution review of Clintec (in Swedish)
6 September 2016. The university board tasks the vice chancellor with drafting an action plan
The Karolinska Institutet’s university board tasks the vice-chancellor with drafting a plan of action for how the university will remedy the serious failings identified by the Heckscher investigation. The plan is to be presented at a board meeting on 10 October.
9 September 2016. Statements from CEPN
The expert group for misconduct at the Central Ethical Review Board (CEPN) submits its report finding Paolo Macchiarini and his co-authors guilty of scientific misconduct in research in the article Experimental orthotopic transplantation of a tissue-engineered oesophagus in rats, as published in Nature Communications on 15 April 2014.
September 2016. Heart-Lung Foundation calls for return of grants
The Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation asks KI return grants worth a total of SEK 1.1 million which the foundations had granted to Paolo Macchiarini during the period 2012–2014.
19 September 2016. Acting vice-chancellor requests investigation
KI's acting vice-chancellor, Karin Dahlman-Wright, asks Karolinska University Hospital, in view of the CEPN's statement of 9 September, to urgently investigate potential shortcomings in animal-handling at the animal facility where Paolo Macchiarini conducted his research.
10 October 2016. The university board endorses the action plan
The university board decides to endorse the direction as set out in the vice chancellor's action plan, which is a consequence of Heckscher's external investigation of KI's handling of the Macchiarini case and KI's internal review of Clintec, the institution of clinical science, intervention and technology. The investigation and the internal review have highlighted deficiencies and given recommendations that have formed the basis of the action plan. The action plan is based on three main areas: The internal culture and management at KI, quality issues including regulatory compliance, and organisational issues including the interface with Karolinska University Hospital.
After the Heckscher investigation: Action plan ready for KI. The action plan.
12 October 2016. Investigation into shortcomings in animal-handling
The then director of R&D at Karolinska University Hospital submits a report at the request of KI's vice-chancellor on urgent investigation of potential shortcomings in animal-handling.
24 November 2016. New chairman appointed by the government
The government appoints four new members to the university board. New chairman to be Mikael Odenberg, former cabinet minister and CEO of the Swedish National Grid. Other new government-appointed members are Liselotte Höjgaard, who has been a head of department at Copenhagen's Rigshospitalet since 2000, Björn Stensaker, who is a professor at the Department of Education at the University of Oslo, and Göran Stiernstedt, a consultant and adviser at the state commission on knowledge support.
KI‘s new chairman: “There is reason to go over things again“
20 December 2016. KI comes to new decision in misconduct case
Karolinska Institutet makes a decision in a misconduct case that relates to Paolo Macchiarini and about which the expert group for misconduct in research at the CEPN has issued a statement. KI's decision is that Macchiarini and three co-authors are considered guilty of misconduct in research in regard to the article in Nature Communications from 2014. For two of the more junior authors, there are mitigating circumstances.
20 December 2016. Professor in the Nobel Assembly steps down
Urban Lendahl, professor of genetics at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at Karolinska Institutet, chooses to step down as a member of the Nobel Assembly by reason of his behaviour in the Macchiarini case.
December 2016. Decision on external investigation into animal management
Based on the R&D director's report of 12 October 2016, KI's acting vice-chancellor, Karin Dahlman-Wright, and the director of Karolinska University Hospital, Melvin Samsom, decide to appoint an external investigator to investigate whether there have been shortcomings in the review of animal management, and if so, how it can be improved. Patricia Hedenqvist, senior lecturer in Laboratory Animal Medicine at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, is asked to head up the investigation.
19 March 2017. Patient dies
The last of the three patients to have been given an artificial trachea surgically implanted by Paolo Macchiarini at Karolinska University Hospital dies at a hospital in the USA.
21 March 2017. Research article withdrawn
The article entitled “Experimental orthotopic transplantation of a tissue-engineered oesophagus in rats”, published in Nature Communications in 2014, is withdrawn by the authors, with reference to the technical failings that have emerged from reviews of the article.
April 2017: New vice-chancellor appointed
27 April 2017. Ole Petter Ottersen to be new vice-chancellor
The government decides to appoint Ole Petter Ottersen as the new vice-chancellor at Karolinska Institutet at the suggestion of the university board. The new vice-chancellor will take up his position on 1 August 2017.
Ole Petter Ottersen on becoming the new vice-chancellor of Karolinska Institutet
30 September 2017. Investigation into Paolo Macchiarini's animal experiments
An external investigation into Paolo Macchiarini's animal experiments at the animal departments at Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge (2011–2016) revealed failings in the supervision of Macchiarini's group, the way in which they conducted animal experiments and compliance with ethical authorisations. The investigation was commissioned in December 2016 by KI's acting vice-chancellor, Karin Dahlman-Wright, and the director of Karolinska University Hospital, Melvin Samsom.
Investigation into Paolo Macchiarini's animal experiments
12 October 2017. Preliminary investigations closed
The Swedish Prosecution Authority decides to close down the preliminary investigations of Paolo Macchiarini relating to tracheal surgery and other operations performed at Karolinska University Hospital where he had previously been employed as a surgeon.
30 October 2017. CEPN issues statement on six articles
The expert group on misconduct in research at the Central Ethical Review Board, CEPN, issues its statement concerning six articles of which Paolo Macchiarini was the principal author. All authors must make statements before the vice-chancellor of Karolinska Institutet makes a decision in the case.
9 November 2017. The Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ) criticises KI
In a supervisory decision, the UKÄ directs sharp criticism at KI with respect to issues relating to Paolo Macchiarini's activities at Karolinska Institutet during the period 2013 to 2016. The UKÄ has reviewed a number of issues that fall under the authority's supervisory responsibility.
30 January 2018. Researchers found guilty of scientific misconduct
Karolinska Institutet’s vice-chancellor Ole Petter Ottersen reaches the decision to find Paolo Macchiarini, Philipp Jungebluth, Bernhard Holzgraefe and Håkan Kalzén guilty of scientific misconduct (Swedish). The case relates to the article “Autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells as treatment in refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome”, published in 2015 in Respiration.
25 June 2018. Seven researchers responsible for scientific misconduct
On 25 June, the President of Karolinska Institutet made the decision to find seven researchers responsible for scientific misconduct in research. The case concerns six articles published in the scientific journals The Lancet, Biomaterials, The Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, and Thoracic Surgery Clinics. Paolo Macchiarini is one of the main authors of the articles. Karolinska Institutet is requesting that the six articles be retracted without undue delay.
11 December 2018. Public prosecutor decides to resume the investigation
Director of Public Prosecutions Mikael Björk announces that the investigation (in Swedish) into the surgical transplantation of synthetic tracheae in patients at Karolinska University Hospital is to resume. The suspected criminal offence is gross negligent bodily harm.
10 June 2019. Supreme Administrative Court refuses leave to appeal
Some of the researchers found guilty of misconduct on 25 June 2018 hoped to lodge a legal appeal against the decision. On 10 June 2019 the Supreme Administrative Court announces that it will not be granting leave to appeal.
29 September 2020. Macchiarini indicted for assault
Director of Public Prosecution Mikael Björk announces that Paolo Macchiarini will be indicted for aggravated assault in connection with three surgeries at Karolinska University Hospital.
7 January 2022. Trial date announced
The trial will be heard in Solna District Court from 27 April to 23 May. In total, 13 days are scheduled for the hearing.
16 June 2022. Solna District Court´s verdict
Solna District Court sentences Paolo Macchiarini for causing bodily harm, a felony, in one case. He is acquitted on two of three charges. The penalty is determined to a suspended sentence.The verdict can be appealed until 7 July.
29 June 2022. Prosecutors appeal verdict
The prosecuting side appeals the verdict given by Solna District Court on the 16th of June to Svea Court of Appeals. It is now Svea Court of Appeals that decides when the main hearing starts.
20 February 2023. Trial date announced
The trial will be held in Svea Court of Appeals from 17 April to 24 April. In total, seven days are scheduled for the hearing.
21 June 2023. Svea Court's verdict
21 June 2023. The Court of Appeal changes the District Court's judgment and sentences Paolo Macchiarini to prison for two years and six months for three counts of aggravated assault. The verdict can be appealed until 19 July.
20 September 2023: Researchers convicted of research misconduct
The National Board for Investigation of Misconduct in Research decides that three scientists are guilty of misconduct in research. The case concerns the article "The first tissue-engineered airway transplantation: 5-year follow-up results" published in the scientific journal Lancet in 2014. Paolo Macchiarini is the corresponding author. Karolinska Institutet requests the journal to withdraw the article.
5 October, 2023. Researchers convicted of research misconduct
The National Board for Investigation of Misconduct in Research decides that four scientists are guilty of research misconduct. The case concerns the article "Viability and proliferation of rat MSCs on adhesion protein-modified PET and PU scaffolds" published in the scientific journal Biomaterials 2012. Paolo Macchiarini is the corresponding author. Karolinska Institutet requests that the journal withdraw the article.
October 27 2023. The Lancet retracts articles
The Lancet retracts two articles by Paolo Macciarini, as well as two co-authors. This is based on the The National Board for Investigation of Misconduct in Research decision from the end of September 2023. The retracted articles describe results from a tracheal transplant performed by Paolo Macchiarini in Barcelona in 2008.
30 October 2023. The Supreme Court does not grant leave to appeal
The Swedish Supreme Court has gone through the material in the trachea transplant case and concluded that there is no reason to issue a leave to appeal. The judgment of Svea Court of Appeals thus stands. Svea Court of Appeal assessed the acts as three cases of serious assault and sentenced the doctor to prison for two years and six months.
January 3, 2024. Biomaterials journal retracts article
The scientific journal Biomaterials retracts an article written by Paolo Macciarini during his time at KI. Npof, the Swedish National Board for Investigation of Misconduct in Research, reviewed the article in the autumn of 2023 and concluded that three of the authors of the article were guilty of misconduct in research.