Overview

• Detained since Wednesday after surrendering to authorities, the HLB Pharma owner finished his judicial statement on Friday in La Plata.
• Nine co‑accused—family members, executives and technical directors of HLB Pharma and Laboratorios Ramallo—were questioned earlier, with the judge notifying imputations under Penal Code Article 201.
• The Cuerpo Médico Forense found a contributory link in 12 of 20 analyzed clinical histories, and Malbrán reported genomic matches between patient isolates and seized ampoules from lot 31202, with bacteria including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii.
• Prosecutors cited grave production failures tied to lots 31202 and 31244 and pursue charges for adulteration resulting in deaths, while also probing alleged diversion of product to illegal markets as a working hypothesis.
• Regulatory scrutiny intensified as ANMAT removed the INAME director and the judge excluded the national Health Ministry as a private complainant in the case that counts at least 96 suspected deaths.