Drug Information Update-FDA works with regulatory partners to understand French-based Biotrial phase 1 clinical study

The Division of Drug Information (DDI)- serving the public by providing information on human drug products and drug product regulation by FDA.

[1/22/16] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is conferring with European regulators after a phase 1 clinical study, conducted by French clinical research organization Biotrial, resulted this week in the death of one enrolled subject and neurological injury to four others.

The study had focused on BIA 10-2474, an investigational new drug (IND) manufactured by Portuguese company Bial. Although no clinical studies with BIA 10-2474 have occurred in the U.S., FDA is conferring with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the French national medicines agency (ASNM). French authorities continue to investigate the events reported by Biotrial. FDA will learn as much as possible about BIA 10-2474 and the results of the French phase 1 study.

To meet FDA regulatory requirements, study sponsors collect rigorous laboratory and animal data and must submit such safety data to FDA in an IND application before any human volunteers may be enrolled in a phase 1 study. Furthermore, sponsors may not initiate phase 1 studies until 30 days after submitting an IND application to the agency. This period of time allows FDA scientists to review the safety data and determine if the proposed study is reasonably safe to proceed. If FDA determines that human subjects might be exposed unnecessarily to risk of illness or injury, the study may be placed on “clinical hold” by the agency. Catastrophic adverse events in phase 1 studies conducted in the U.S. are extremely rare.

BIA 10-2474 is reported to be an inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme involved in cell function in the nervous system. FAAH inhibitors have been studied for their potential therapeutic  use in a number of neurological disorders. This week’s tragedy in France is the first human fatality following exposure to an FAAH inhibitor.  

FDA is in the process of collecting and reviewing safety information pertinent to FAAH inhibitors under investigation in the U.S. FDA will work with sponsors to ensure the safety of participants in clinical studies and take regulatory action as appropriate.  FDA will also work with sponsors to ensure patients and investigators participating in clinical studies of FAAH inhibitors are fully informed regarding the risks and potential benefits of these drugs.

For more information, please visit: Biotrial Study.