Pharma News Only (pfe,mrk,wla, sgp, ahp, bmy, lly) Message Board

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Pharma News Only (pfe,mrk,wla, sgp, ahp, bmy, lly)

PFE 25.88

+1.5%

3:59 PM EST

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next

To: Henry Niman who wrote (984)	11/4/1998 12:40:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) of 1722

Monsanto Scales Back Heart Drug Trial, Cites Early Deaths Bloomberg News November 4, 1998, 12:07 p.m. ET Monsanto Scales Back Heart Drug Trial, Cites Early Deaths Washington, Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Monsanto Co.'s Searle drug unit said it scaled back a study of its clot-preventing heart drug after seeing a greater than expected number of deaths. One of the two groups of patients getting the drug had an unexpectedly high rate of deaths within the first 30 days of taking the drug. The company said it won't enter any more patients into the study, though treatment will continue for those patients who already have gotten through that 30-day period. The drug, known as orbofiban, is an oral version of a class of drugs that have become well accepted among cardiologists. Centocor Inc., Cor Therapeutics Inc. and Merck & Co. sell the currently approved drugs in the class, which analysts say could have sales of $1 billion a year or more. Shares of St. Louis-based Monsanto fell 2 15/16 to 39 1/2 in recent trading. The company, one of the world's largest makers of herbicides and technology used to improve crops, is undergoing a transformation to focus on drugs and agricultural biotechnology. The company said it ended enrollment of new patients into the study as ''a precautionary measure.'' More than 8,000 patients already enrolled in the study will continue to be monitored, the company said. The independent monitoring board that oversees the study said factors other than the drug may have contributed to the higher-than-expected death rate. Another similar drug under study by the company, known as xemilofiban, isn't affected by this move, Monsanto said. --Kristin Jensen and Kristin Reed in the Washington newsroom

Report TOU Violation

Share This Post

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next