Glaxo suspends
Phase III trial of anti-HIV drug

GlaxoSmithKline is suspending a Phase III clinical trial of its experimental HIV entry inhibitor aplaviroc after two HIV-positive trial participants developed severe liver damage, The Wall Street Journal reports. Although it was not initially clear whether the liver problems were related to the drug, Glaxo made the decision to suspend the trial after discussing the drug's risks with the Food and Drug Administration. Neither of the trial participants died nor required liver transplants, according to Glaxo. They were among 250 treatment-naive HIV-positive people in the United States, Canada, and the European Union participating in the clinical trial. A separate trial involving treatment-experienced HIV-positive people will continue, although participants will be closely watched for signs of liver toxicity, says Glaxo spokesman Rick Koenig. The study will not, however, enroll new participants until the company has a better understanding of the cause of the liver-related side effects. (Advocate.com)