German prosecutors consider probe of TeGenero

German prosecutors says they are examining whether to launch a formal investigation into pharmaceutical firm TeGenero AG after six men fell seriously ill during a clinical trial in Britain.

TeGenero is based in Wuerzburg in southern Germany.

The men, including a New Zealander, had taken part in a trial to test a drug known as TGN 1412, designed to treat chronic inflammatory conditions and leukaemia.

Two of the paid volunteers who were given the drug designed to treat chronic inflammatory conditions and leukaemia remain in critical condition despite being given blood transfusions.

Four others being treated at Northwick Park Hospital in northwest London where they were given the drug early this week, are listed as serious, but are said to be showing signs of improvement. They include the New Zealander.

Doctors and family members have pleaded for international help from scientists to help save the lives of the men, who suffered multiple organ failure.

TeGenero’s Head of Research and Development, Thomas Hanke, says the firm will cooperate with German investigators.

He added that investigations by Britain’s drugs regulator centred around the firm which had run the trials, US drug research company Parexel International Corp.

Another company, the privately-held Boehringer Ingelheim, produced the drug for TeGenero.

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