# Fugitive on the run for 20 years caught working as biotech executive

Most-wanted criminal arrested while hiding in plain sight in the biotech industry.

- **Source:** [Ars Technica - All content](https://brifing.si/source/b728770c-8dda-457a-8986-84879c9fc42c)
- **Published:** 2026-07-21
- **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business)
- **Original article:** <https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/07/on-the-run-for-20-years-most-wanted-fugitive-caught-hiding-as-a-biotech-exec/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a0315314-0bf8-4b88-b960-9fc3cd26b7e6

## Long-time fugitive

Richard Graydon had been a wanted fugitive for 20 years. Police records showed he used multiple aliases and was described as a 'master yachtsman and world traveler.' He had even appeared on America's Most Wanted.

## Biotech career

Graydon self-published a book in 2017 presenting himself as an oncologist. In 2022, he joined Atossa Therapeutics as interim chief medical officer. The CEO highlighted Graydon's experience in CAR-T cell therapy.

## High-profile hiring

In March 2023, Immix announced hiring Graydon, portraying him as a hematologist-oncologist with experience at Merck and Johnson & Johnson, claiming he worked on cancer drugs like Darzalex during his career.

## Credentials questioned

Immix's announcement stated Graydon held MD and PhD degrees from Stanford and trained at Harvard. However, Stat News couldn't verify these claims, and the company declined to comment on the discrepancies.

## Arrest at sea

Graydon was captured on July 16 while sailing his 56-foot yacht 'The Silver Lining' on New York's East River. US Marshals and Coast Guard personnel took him into custody without incident during the maritime operation.

## Industry implications

Immix stated in SEC filings that Graydon's brief tenure wouldn't materially affect operations. However, this incident has reignited discussions about background checks in the biotech executive hiring processes.

## Sources covering this story

- https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/07/on-the-run-for-20-years-most-wanted-fugitive-caught-hiding-as-a-biotech-exec/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
