Controversial researcher addresses accusations

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This article was published 24/01/2015 (4142 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After days of silence, the Winnipeg medical researcher who charged multiple sclerosis patients thousands of dollars for overseas stem-cell treatment says he’s been “unfairly accused and victimized by inaccurate media reporting” and looks forward to clearing his name.

In a statement sent to local media Friday morning, Doug Broeska, owner of Regenetek Research, said media reports he falsified his credentials, overstated the effects of the stem-cell clinical trial, failed to follow up with patients and was recently removed from the study are false.

He said he stands by his role in the “case-based study” where his job was to track patients for followup. He said he has not breached ethical standards and did not give medical advice to patients.

Broeska also released a notarized copy of his PhD certificate from Brightland University, which is not accredited in Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom. Brightland’s website includes no phone numbers, no names of senior administrators or location information, spells the school name incorrectly in one reference and is linked to a well-known degree mill operator.

Broeska’s degree certificate, notarized by Liya Akalu in Washington, D.C., includes a stamp saying the oath was sworn before her on Dec. 22, 2015, a date still nearly 11 months away.

Broeska’s spokesman, David MacKay of Winnipeg public relations firm ResultzPR, said the date was an error made by the notary, and Broeska is awaiting a correction. Broeska has so far refused to provide a copy of his dissertation, saying Friday releasing it is up to his lawyer.

Broeska originally claimed to have a bachelor of science degree and a PhD from the University of Manitoba. Neither is true.

“Dr. Broeska regrets any misperception that may have resulted from referencing a PhD from the University of Manitoba on his LinkedIn page,” said the statement. “He did attend three years of classes at the University of Manitoba but did not receive a degree there.”

‘Dr. Broeska regrets any misperception that may have resulted from referencing a PhD from the University of Manitoba on his LinkedIn page’

Broeska also said it’s not uncommon to ask patients to pay for clinical trials, which are voluntary. And, he disputed word this week from Regenetek’s Indian partner, Surjo Banerjee of Genesis Ltd., the firm had ended dealings with Regenetek.

“The allegations against Dr. Broeska have not been proven, or even substantiated,” said MacKay in an email. “Dr. Broeska has not received any indication from contacts in India that Genesis Ltd. is cutting ties with Regenetek Research.”

Broeska also said he personally funded some of the study’s startup costs and reiterated Regenetek is a not-for-profit company. He said some patients had their treatment subsidized. “The bottom line is that Regenetek has never rejected a participant because they could not pay the full amount,” said Broeska. “Clearly, if Regenetek was conducting medical tourism, it would not accept participants who could not pay their fee in full.”

Broeska said he is not aware of any RCMP investigation into Regenetek, or one by the Canada Revenue Agency. He said two people who have filed RCMP complaints about Regenetek “were not enrolled in the study and may have a competitive financial motive to try to diminish the company’s achievements and tarnish its reputation.”

maryagnes.welch@freepress.mb.ca melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca