Hepatitis Pharmaceutical Drugs Development Halted Due to Side Effects

Shares of Idenix Pharmaceuticals took a tumble this week, after regulators decided to halt the further development of its two new medications, due to side effects discovered during clinical trials.

The FDA made the decision after three cases of liver side effects were reported, after patients had taken IDX 184 and IDX 120, two experimental prescription drugs. The reported liver effects were not serious, however, and volunteer patients regained normal liver function after ceasing the medication.