AbbVie (ABBV) and Merck (MRK) are facing investigations by the China Select Committee of the US House over whether clinical trials conducted in China may have contributed to the country's military capabilities, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing letters dated Monday.

US lawmakers asked the drugmakers to provide details by July 17 on their due diligence, data protection processes and other standards at clinical trial sites in China, particularly in the Xinjiang region and at military hospitals, according to the report.

The committee told the companies there is no evidence they engaged in illegal activity or wrongdoing, but said conducting clinical trials in China exposes US companies to ethical and national security risks.

Merck has sponsored or collaborated on 224 clinical studies in China since 2005, including at least 31 trials in Xinjiang and 40 at medical centers and hospitals affiliated with China's military, the report said. AbbVie has sponsored or collaborated on more than 100 clinical studies in China since 2007, including at least 17 sites in Xinjiang and 16 at military-affiliated medical centers, according to the report.

AbbVie and Merck did not immediately respond to requests for comment from MT Newswires.

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