Unexpected death brings MediGene Phase I to a halt

MediGene placed a clinical hold on the trial of an experimental therapy for rheumatoid arthritis after a paid subject in the Phase I study--a healthy father of three--died unexpectedly in Scotland after suffering cardiac arrest. The case immediately raised comparisons to the notorious early-stage clinical trial for TGN 1412, which nearly killed six participants of a small UK trial.

The family of the man, an enthusiastic body builder, is taking legal action. He was paid £2,000 to participate in the trial of RhuDex, according to The Times. The German company says that about 80 people have been given RhuDex and that it is investigating the death.

- check out MediGene's release
- read the report from The Times

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