January 20, 2015
By Riley McDermid, BioSpace.com Breaking News Sr. Editor
A former British priest is suing Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG for $1.52 million after an early trial he participated in to treat a rare blood disease may have left him severely disabled and with “catastrophic” brain injuries, The Daily Mail reported Tuesday.
Former Catholic priest Adrian Hailer took part in an early trial being conducted by Novartis for Jakavi (ruxolitinib) to help treat an infection of the nervous system called Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). Hailer had only a mild form of the disease and was healthy and “enjoying his retirement” prior to starting the experimental drug.
But within two months of beginning the trial, Hailer began to become confused and suffer memory loss, which eventually degenerated to partial blindness and severe disablement. He now needs 24-hour care and neurological therapy not available from Britain’s National Health Service, and Novartis should foot that bill, say his lawyers.
“Mr. Hailer suffered catastrophic brain injuries and it seems clear from the expert evidence available that they were caused by the trial drug,” said Gene Matthews, a lawyer with law firm Leigh Day.
Novartis initially offered a “goodwill” payment of an undisclosed amount, but the Hailers say they turned it down because it came with a strict nondisclosure agreement.
For its part, Novartis said it will continue to contest the claim.
“Based on the medical evidence received from independent medical experts, Novartis is unable to establish on the balance of probabilities that Mr. Hailer’s development of PML was caused by his participation in the trial,” it said in a statement. Hailer’s wife, Maggie, who he married after leaving the priesthood, told the Daily Mail that all of the couple’s savings are being spent on Adrian’s care.
Novartis is a signatory to the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry‘s compensation guidelines.
BioSpace Temperature Poll
What Are Your Predictions for the Price Bidding War? The market has been buzzing about an escalating price war between large payers like Express Scripts and Big Pharma. Multiple deals last week showed Gilead forming exclusive pacts and smaller companies like Kite Pharma starting talks early. What do you think will be the effect on prices? BioSpace wants your opinion!
