Bristol-Myers terminates hepatitis C drug development

NEW YORK – Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. says it has scrapped a potential hepatitis C treatment after a patient participating in a test of the drug died of heart failure.

The New York company said it decided to discontinue development of the drug in the interest of patient safety.

The patient's heart failure prompted Bristol-Myers to voluntarily suspend a mid-stage study of the drug on Aug 1.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration subsequently placed the drug on a clinical hold.

Nine patients, including the one who died, were hospitalized. Two remain under hospital care.

The company identified heart and kidney toxicity as a key factor.

Bristol-Myers says it is working with the FDA to monitor the patients involved in the study.