At the end of March, the company BodySphere announced what sounded like a coup: it claimed the FDA had authorized its 2-minute COVID-19 antibody test for emergency use.
The problem was, the FDA had issued no such approval. The original announcement, which made its way into the likes of Axios and Reuters, was quickly retracted and corrected.
BodySphere is now one of the latest firms to register to lobby, filing on issues related to "commercial hemp production and medicinal research." While there are no current references to hemp on BodySphere's website, CNN reported that the site previously stated the company was involved in the creation of "Hemp Bio Plastics."
In addition to selling masks and hand sanitizer, the company's website still advertised COVID-19 tests as of May 6, with the caveat that results, "must be confirmed with alternative testing method(s)."
BodySphere hired Josh Gaboton of Gaboton Group LLC to lobby on its behalf. In the early 2000s, Gaboton worked as a legislative assistant for former Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.). Mica's daughter, D'Anne Mica, who is not named on the lobbying filing nor on Gaboton Group's website, has previously worked with the firm on behalf of local governments in Florida. She was serving as a BodySphere spokesperson, according to CNN.
