Chinese Doctor Charged With Theft For Stealing US Cancer Research Secrets

Last Updated:August 27, 2025, 17:47 IST

Yunhai Lee, a researcher at MD Anderson Cancer Center, was arrested in Houston for uploading US-funded breast cancer vaccine research to a Chinese server and faces theft charges.

Prosecutors allege Yunhai Li took confidential US-funded research, uploaded it to Baidu, and planned to return to China. (IMAGE: X)

A Chinese doctor nabbed while flying out of Texas after authorities found out that he uploaded US cancer research secrets onto a Chinese server.

Thirty-five-year-old Yunhai Lee was arrested while flying out of an airport in the US state of Texas for allegedly attempting to smuggle US-funded cancer research back to his home country, the New York Post said in a report.

The Border Patrol found out sensitive confidential medical records on his laptop and it was also found that he had uploaded research data on a vaccine to prevent breast cancer from spreading onto a Chinese server.

Li was nabbed at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston last month and was employed as a researcher at MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2022. He was working on the breast cancer vaccine and had abruptly quit on July 1.

“Houston is proudly home to some of the most groundbreaking medical institutions in the world – publicly funded centers that are saving lives each day thanks to their innovative research," District Attorney Sean Terre said in a statement, accessed by the New York Post.

“We have zero tolerance for any attempts that hurt our nation and our community’s ability to pioneer critical medical breakthroughs."

Prosecutors said Li first uploaded the cancer research files to his personal Google Drive while employed at MD Anderson Cancer Center. When confronted by the institute, he deleted the material and showed proof that it was gone.

But according to Fox 26, investigators later discovered that Li was being paid by Chinese entities. Court records revealed he had secretly shared the files to a Baidu server in China while in the US on a scholar exchange visa and never disclosed the conflict of interest despite signing a declaration that he had no foreign ties and also because his work was funded by the US National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

Border Patrol agents who inspected his laptop found unpublished research, trade secrets and confidential documents, including drawings and models, stored on the Baidu account. “That intellectual property stays with us, so we can save lives," prosecutor Sean Teare said.

According to court filings cited by Fox 26, Li told police he took the research because he felt it was his “right" and insisted the work was “going to waste."

The 35-year-old was re-arrested this week and charged with theft of trade secrets and tampering with government records — offenses that carry up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines. Officials said Li may also face federal charges for the alleged scheme.

He has since posted a $5,100 bond and was ordered to surrender his passport as a condition of release.

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev...Read More

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev...

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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 27, 2025, 17:47 IST

News world Chinese Doctor Charged With Theft For Stealing US Cancer Research Secrets

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