Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. Buys Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. Shares

The Democratic Representative from California's 31st District disclosed a recent stock purchase in the biotech company.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:08am

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An extreme close-up of the intricate, industrial components of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, conveying the technical complexity and capital-intensive nature of the biotech industry.The complex machinery and infrastructure behind rare disease drug development highlights the challenges and investments required in the biotech industry.Novato Today

Representative Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (Democratic-California) recently bought between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of shares in Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:RARE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for rare genetic disorders. The trade was disclosed in a filing on April 7th and occurred in the Representative's personal investment account.

Why it matters

As a member of Congress, Cisneros is subject to strict financial disclosure rules. This purchase of Ultragenyx stock, a relatively small biotech company, raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and whether the Representative has access to non-public information that could influence his investment decisions.

The details

In the filing, Cisneros reported buying the Ultragenyx shares on March 3rd. The stock is currently trading around $23 per share, down from a 52-week high of $42. Ultragenyx is developing several rare disease therapies, including treatments for X-linked hypophosphatemia and long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders.

  • Cisneros disclosed the stock purchase on April 7, 2026.
  • The trade occurred on March 3, 2026.

The players

Representative Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.

A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing California's 31st Congressional District. Cisneros is running for re-election in 2026.

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.

A biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for rare and ultra-rare genetic disorders. The company is headquartered in Novato, California.

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What’s next

The House Ethics Committee may review the stock purchase to ensure Cisneros complied with all applicable rules and regulations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny over members of Congress and their personal financial dealings, as policymakers are expected to avoid even the appearance of impropriety when it comes to investments that could be influenced by their positions of power.