Clinical drug trials are undoubtedly an important aspect of developing pharmaceuticals. The concept however is by no means modern. Records detailing the use of drug trials date back to The Book of Daniel which describes an experiment involving "the King's meat" over a period of ten days. Since the ancient times, many strides have been made in order to conduct these experiments on human beings efficiently and safely. Unfortunately, unforeseen accidents during these trials still happen. In fact just recently most medical professionals were rocked by the news of a casualty involving a French drug trial.
Late in January, reports confirmed that a man was pronounced dead following his involvement on a clinical drug trial conducted by French company, Biotrial International. The trial was conducted last January 7, 2016 in order to study the effects of a painkiller developed by Portuguese pharmaceutical company, Bial. 90 individuals participated in the experiment. Aside from the fatal casualty, five other participants were sent to the hospital after the trial.
Biotrial International and Bial have since launched an investigation surrounding the unfortunate recent incident. Recently, the results of the investigation have been finally revealed.
In a report published early this week, a group of experts explained that a substance called BIA 10-2474 is the root cause for the altercation. The substance caused a peculiar brain reaction which the researchers have never seen before.
"It is clearly the molecule that is the cause. The common element between the victims is indeed that molecule," explained Dominique Martin, director general of the drug safety agency who has been key to the investigation
These scientists have also ruled out any manufacturing issues and any genetic similarities between the victims.
Bial has explained that no concerns have been raised surrounding the BIA 10-2474 during any pre-clinical tests the company has conducted.
"The results obtained in these pre-clinical didn't raise any issue regarding the toxicity/dangerousness of the molecule" read a part of the company's statement.