Elan, Wyeth Halt Alzheimer’s Study

Elan Corp. and development partner Wyeth have suspended a mid-stage clinical trial of ACC-001, an experimental Alzheimer’s vaccine, in order to look into a potentially serious side effect suffered by a patient in the study.
   
Dosing in the study was stopped after the patient was hospitalized with skin lesions. The physician serving as lead researcher suspected it to be a case of vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels.   
   
“Following discussion with the FDA, all further dosing has been suspended while this particular event is fully evaluated,” said Jonathan Birt, a spokesman for Elan. “We are working with health regulators and the physician to further understand the clinical and scientific issues,” Mr. Birt added.
   
According to Mr. Birt, the patient has been released from the hospital and the lesions are healing.