Slow recovery for drug trial victims

LONDON - Four months after a New Zealander almost died as part of a disastrous drug trial in the United Kingdom, the six human guinea pigs from the experiment are struggling to return to work.

All six patients were discharged from Northwick Park Hospital in London, but kept receiving medical and psychological treatment to determine the long-term damage of the botched trial that almost cost them their lives.

A lawyer for the Kiwi man said some of the drug volunteers had tried to return to work, but suffered memory loss and concentration lapses.

They had all lost a lot of weight, but were slowly regaining strength.

"They're building themselves back up, these people have had their lives ruined," the lawyer said.

Six men suffered organ failure after taking part in the trial at Northwick Park Hospital in March. The drug was designed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, leukaemia and multiple sclerosis.

Two others taking placebos were unharmed.

One of the men was said to have looked like the Elephant Man because of the severity of his reaction.

The New Zealander caught at the centre of the scandal has specifically asked for his identity to remain secret.

He has been in the United Kingdom for four years and his family live in New Zealand.

Despite appearing physically fine, the lawyer said the six were being psychologically assessed to determine the drug's long-term damage.

Until the investigation was complete, he could not say how much financial compensation would be claimed.

However, TeGenero, the German company that developed the experimental drug, has filed for bankruptcy.

"It is the worst time it could possibly happen. For our clients, it is really worrying," the lawyer said.

TeGenero said the "unforeseeable adverse reactions" to the drug TGN1412 had made it impossible to attract investment for further operations.

Ann Alexander of law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represents two of the victims, said: "I am not surprised that this company has filed for insolvency. However, I am surprised they have chosen to do so before the compensation claims were even considered, thereby causing further alarm and psychological distress for our clients."

Raste Khan, 23, one of the men given a placebo, said he was glad that TeGenero had filed for insolvency.

"Maybe it's a good thing if they are not able to work with drugs again. But I think TeGenero owe it to us to pay compensation."