Novartis halts hepatitis drug trial after death

April 19, 2012, 12:26 pm


GENEVA (AP) — Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis AG says it has halted clinical trials for a new drug to treat hepatitis after one patient died.

The Basel-based company says it has informed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of "a small number" of reported cases of pancreatitis and one death in patients who were receiving the drug alisporivir and other medication to treat hepatitis C.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas.

Novartis said in a statement Thursday it was notified by the FDA that clinical trials of the drug will be put on hold.

The company reports its first-quarter results on Tuesday.

Novartis shares closed 0.5 percent higher at 50.95 Swiss francs on the Zurich exchange Thursday.

Tags:
RELATED STORIES
COMMENTS
Similar reports of a suspicous man cruising neighborhoods have also surfaced in Paxton and Leicester
The rain and the traffic don't mix well for travel conditions
Patrols are still looking for anyone else who may have fallen into the water
Margeret McLean talks about the recent developments in the trial against the Boston mobster
Trenni Kusnierek of Comcast SportsNet talks about the Bruins losing Thursday night to the Rangers
A Ben and Jerry's flavor guru and Samuel Adams brewer show off the result