 |
 |
Last September, biotech giant Amgen halted their phase II clinical trial of GDNF for Parkinson's Disease. In earlier phase I trials carried out in the United Kingdom and at the University of Kentucky, patients experienced improvement in their symptoms with no serious side effects. Their treatments were stopped by Amgen as well. Many of the trial participants and others in the Parkison's community have lobbied and pleaded with Amgen to restore their treatments, but Amgen has refused. Two of the Phase II trial participants filed a civil action law suit against Amgen in federal court this morning to try to compel Amgen to reinstate their GDNF treatments. The legal memo raises many important issues such as, who should decide about what is best for people participating in research studies. You can read the legal memo for Suthers et al v. Amgen at: http://gdnf4parkinsons.org/ For background information on the GDNF trials and Amgen also see The Parkinson Pipeline Project website http://pdpipeline.org/amgen_gdnf_halt.htm and updates at http://pdpipeline.org/focus_updates.htm and Grassroots Connection website http://www.grassrootsconnection.com/grcissue_GDNF_research.htm Linda ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn