Here's the language from the FDA: DMCs are rare

Here's the language from the FDA:

DMCs are rarely, if ever, entirely independent of the sponsor, as the sponsor generally selects the members, gives the committee its charge, and pays
committee members for their expenses and services. Aside from being compensated for their duties as DMC members, however, we recommend that these members generally have no ongoing financial relationship with a trial’s commercial sponsor and not be involved in the conduct of the trial in any role other than that of a DMC member.