It occurs to me the "adult" trial might be a natural offshoot of the child trials. For example, I understand that in one severe recent meningo case (apparently not in connection with any Xoma trial) involving a teenage boy treating physicians insisted on prophylactic treatment of all close relatives -- sibling, parents, etc. -- and friends. Likewise, press reports in the Iowa City case I mentioned earlier -- which I now take it also does not involve Xoma trials -- mentioned that college roommates and close friends of the victim were being given preventive treatment. In such cases it makes good sense to administer rBPI too, am I right?
As for Ellen Martin, sheeeesh. Isn't it a little strong to criticize her? She's only an IR/PR person. I don't know for sure, but I very much doubt people at such a level are allowed to make ad hoc decisions re: public disclosure of relevant information. Probably, they operate under explicit policy guidelines limiting releases in the first instance to company-authorized statements and reports, in the second instance to executive- and legal office-approved FAQs and what have you, and in the third instance to published monographs or news reports involving staff or affiliated scientists. Anything else would require direct authorization, I would imagine.
Tharos' ferret work certainly is inspiring. Let's be grateful for Tharos without spitting on Ellen, okay? |
