Expert group to look into clinical trials

Health Minister Andy Burnham has announced the membership of an Expert Group to investigate clinical trials. The Chair of the group, Professor Gordon Duff, was appointed in April following the adverse reaction of six Parexel clinical trial participants to the drug TGN1412.

The Expert Group is an independent scientific committee that will determine its own work programme in relation to the Terms of Reference, which are:

To consider what may be necessary in the transition from pre-clinical to first-in-man Phase 1 studies, and in the design of these trials, with specific reference to:

• biological molecules with novel mechanisms of action
• new agent with a highly species-specific action
• new drugs directed towards immune system targets.

Professor Janet Darbyshire, Co-Director of UKCRN, is one of the members of the Expert Group.

25 May 2006