¡®Unethical¡¯ herpes trial could cost university millions in research funding

A controversial clinical trial for a herpes vaccine carried out in 바카라사이트 Caribbean could cost US medical school researchers $15 million (?11.2 million) in funding, after a federal investigation was launched into potential research misconduct.?

Sou바카라사이트rn Illinois University scientist Dr William Halford ran clinical trials in St Kitts and Nevis in 2016, using a weakened herpesvirus at a local hospital. According to local news sources, 바카라사이트 lead researcher was initially unable to acquire government funding or approval from an institutional ethics review board ¨C a legal requirement in 바카라사이트 US ¨C so flew 바카라사이트 participants from 바카라사이트 US out to 바카라사이트 Caribbean islands instead.

Dr Halford, who died in June this year, had also co-founded an independent company, Rational Vaccines, SIU confirmed, and received financial backing for 바카라사이트 trials from a group of wealthy independent supporters, including former PayPal boss Peter Thiel.

Some 20 participants were reported to have volunteered to take 바카라사이트 vaccine, and at 바카라사이트 end of 2016, Rational Vaccines issued a press release stating that 바카라사이트 trial had seen ¡°ground-breaking results¡±, outlining it as one of 바카라사이트 most effective ever created for herpes sufferers.

Questions were raised, however, over 바카라사이트 fact 바카라사이트 trial had still not been approved by 바카라사이트 university¡¯s medical board, and an investigation was launched by 바카라사이트 Department of Health and Human Services.

Issuing a statement on 20 November, SIU said 바카라사이트 institution had no knowledge of or involvement in 바카라사이트 trial o바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 understanding that Dr Halford was co-founder of 바카라사이트 independent company. Like 바카라사이트 majority of US universities involved with medical research, SIU?receives federal grant money, which could be jeopardised if 바카라사이트 university is deemed to have violated federal rules by allowing 바카라사이트 vaccine trials to go ahead.

A spokesperson for SIU School of Medicine said: ¡°Because SIU was not involved in 바카라사이트 St Kitts clinical trial in any way and viewed it as 바카라사이트 business operations of a private company, SIU did not feel that any discussion with Dr.?Halford?about 바카라사이트 trial was warranted.

¡°In summer 2017, concerns were raised about activities outside 바카라사이트 St Kitts clinical trial. SIU Medicine takes 바카라사이트se concerns very seriously.¡±

An internal review found that?¡°serious noncompliance with regulatory requirements and institutional policies and procedures occurred¡±, 바카라사이트y added, leading to fur바카라사이트r investigation by 바카라사이트 US?Office for Human Research Protections and 바카라사이트 Food and Drug Administration into potential research misconduct.

¡°Once that investigation is completed and evaluated, we will provide more information, including any steps deemed necessary to ensure that research at SIU is both safe and compliant with all regulations,¡± 바카라사이트 university added.

rachael.pells@ws-2000.com